Finless porpoise

The finless porpoise is a small cetacean in the genus Neophocaena, distinguished by a dorsal-fin-free back with a low ridge bearing tubercles.

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Porpoise: Porpoises are small toothed whales in the family Phocoenidae, distinct from dolphins in anatomy and evolutionary history. Finless porpoises belong to this family of compact, short-beaked toothed whales.
Dorsal fin: A dorsal fin is a fin or ridge projecting from the back of many aquatic vertebrates. The finless porpoise lacks a projecting fin, relying instead on a low dorsal ridge.
Yangtze finless porpoise conservation: Yangtze finless porpoise conservation comprises measures to prevent population decline and restore habitat in the Yangtze basin. This population faces especially severe pressures from river traffic, fishing, and habitat alteration.
Yangtze River: The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia, flowing through China to the East China Sea. Its basin is the only habitat of the Yangtze finless porpoise population.
Neophocaena: Neophocaena is a genus of finless porpoises native to coastal and freshwater Asian waters. This genus contains the finless porpoise species and defines its taxonomic placement.
Tubercles: Tubercles are small rounded bumps; in finless porpoises they form a distinctive row along the back ridge. These tactile structures cover the ridge that replaces a conventional dorsal fin.
Bycatch: Bycatch is the unintended capture of animals during fishing operations targeting other species. Entanglement in fishing gear is a direct source of finless porpoise mortality.
Yangtze River dolphin: The Yangtze River dolphin, or baiji, was a freshwater cetacean declared functionally extinct after decades of decline. The baiji's collapse is a warning about pressures that also threaten the Yangtze finless porpoise.
Indo-Pacific finless porpoise: The Indo-Pacific finless porpoise is a Neophocaena species found mainly in coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia. It is one of the two living species commonly recognized in the genus.
Echolocation: Echolocation is the use of emitted sounds and returning echoes to detect objects and navigate. Finless porpoises use high-frequency clicks to locate prey and orient in murky water.