Vaquita
Vaquita
Vaquita (pronunciation: /vəˈkiːtə/; Spanish: [baˈkita]; from Spanish vaquita, "little cow") is a species of porpoise endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California. The term is also used to refer to the smallest known cetacean.
Etymology
The term "vaquita" is Spanish for "little cow". The name is derived from the Spanish word vaca meaning "cow" and the diminutive suffix -ita.
Description
The vaquita is distinguished by its small size, with adults rarely exceeding 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length. It has a characteristic dark ring around the eyes and patches on the lips that form a thin line from the mouth to the pectoral fins.
Habitat and Distribution
The vaquita is endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California, a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from mainland Mexico. The species is found along a narrow coastal strip, approximately 40 km (25 mi) wide.
Conservation Status
The vaquita is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The primary threats to the species are incidental capture in gillnets and habitat degradation.
Related Terms
- Porpoise: A group of fully aquatic marine mammals, similar in appearance to a dolphin, part of the family Phocoenidae.
- Cetacean: A diverse group of fully aquatic marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
- Gulf of California: A body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from mainland Mexico.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): An international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vaquita
- Wikipedia's article - Vaquita
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