Marine mammal specimen from whale temple in Vietnam (2022)

Study Extent

49 whale temples along the Vietnamese coast, from Hue provinces to Kien Giang province

Sampling

Skull morphological and measurements, photographs, bone DNA extracted

Quality Control

Specimens were identified by multiple experts with vast experiences in cetacean/marine mammal taxonomy. Photographs and measurements of each skull were taken to aid the identification

Method steps

1. Acquire permission to enter a whale temple and examine the specimen inside. Setup an area for photographing and measuring. Counting and visualising all specimens. If there were fewer than 30 skulls, photographing and measuring all skulls. If there were more than 30 skulls, photographing in detail and measuring skulls of taxonomically challenging groups (Stennella, Delphinid, Kogia). Other skulls were photographed and identified to lowest-possible taxonomic ranks.

This dataset contains only records of marine mammals, mainly cetaceans

1. Cetacea
   common name: Cetacean rank: suborder
2. Dugongidae
   common name: Dugong rank: family

This dataset contains only records along the Vietnamese coast.