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South Asian river dolphins are toothed whales in the genus Platanista. They inhabit fresh water habitats in the northern Indian subcontinent. They were historically considered to be one species, but the Ganges river dolphin (pictured) and the Indus river dolphin were described as separate species in 2021, having diverged around 550,000 years ago. South Asian river dolphins are small but stocky cetaceans with long snouts or rostra, broad flippers, and small dorsal fins. Living in murky river waters and relying on echolocation for navigation, they have tiny, lensless eyes. The skull has large crests over the melon, which help direct their echolocation signals as they prey, mainly on fish and shrimp. They are active throughout the day in small groups. Both species are listed as endangered mammals by the IUCN Red List. Major threats include dams, barrages, fishing nets, and both chemical and acoustic pollution. (Full article...)

Arothron stellatus, also known as the stellate pufferfish, starry puffer or starry toadfish, is a demersal marine fish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae, the puffer fishes. It is found in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a large fish, growing up to 120 centimetres (47 in) in length. Its body is spherical and relatively elongated, with skin that is not covered with scales but is prickly. The fish has no pelvic fin and no lateral line. The dorsal fin and the anal fin are small, symmetric, and located at the rear end of the body. The head is large with a short snout that has two pairs of nostrils, and the mouth is terminal with four strong teeth. This A. stellatus individual was photographed in the Red Sea near Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

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Ganges river dolphin
Ganges river dolphin
Mary Jo Shelly
Mary Jo Shelly
Daniel Noboa in March 2022
Daniel Noboa
Bust of Qutuz
Bust of Qutuz