A Study On The Social Sturcture, Behavior, And Habitat Selection Of Chinese White Dolphins (Sousa Chinensis) In Xiamen Waters, China

Habitat selection of Chinese white dolphins (Sousa chinensis) inhabiting the Xiamen Bay was analyzed by using finding frequency, x~2-test, and habitat selection index. High level of selection of water depth under 20 meters was found, whereas no significant selection was found to other environmental conditions such as tide change, wind direction, wind power, and temperature of surface water etc.Analyses on the number of Chinese white dolphins (Sousa chinensis) at different ages in order to evaluate social organization. The association of individuals and behaviors was measured by association index (AI). The results indicate that the association between individuals was not tight (AI=0.0357) and the social organization was highly influid. The dolphin's behaviors in the Xiamen waters inclue feeding, traveling, playing, procreating, care-giving et al. It was found that the association between feeding and traveling, feeding and playing, playing and care-giving, playing and traveling was tight. The dolphin's behaviors inclde feeding, traveling and playing were mostly observed in Xigang, Jiyu, Qingyu, Wuyu water areas. The abundance ratio of behavior observed in Jiyu, Qingyu, Wuyu water areas were highest, it indicates that these areas are important to the ptotection of Chinese white dolphins (Sousa chinensis) inhabiting the Xiamen Bay.