The first record of shark attack on the Indo-Pacific hump-back Dolphin, <i>Sousa chinensis</i> (Osbeck, 1765) in Mithapur coast, India

Abstract

Present report is the documentation of shark attack on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, which was washed ashore at Mithapur coast in Gujarat, India. The crescent shaped tooth impregnation on the deceased dolphin revealed it was attacked by shark. As the animal was injured only in seven places, perhaps, the attack was due to competitive interaction between shark and dolphin. Morphometric measurements and description of the wounds on the dolphin were recorded and documented. This is the first report of shark attack on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin from Gujarat coast.