Han Hsun Shih - Color Change of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins

Nombre y apellidos: Han Hsun Shih

País: United Kingdom

Redes sociales: https://www.instagram.com/fishchief

Título de la obra: Color Change of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins

Especie o elemento: Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins, Taiwanese subspecies

Leyenda: A Calf
B Juvenile
C Adult Female
D Matriarch

Categoría: Ilustración Científica

Técnicas utilizadas: Digital Painting

Inteligencia artificial: No.

Tamaño: 42*29.7cm 300dpi

Año de creación: 2026

Descripción:

The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, is a cetacean known for its distinct pink coloration. Their skin transitions from gray to white with age; while calves and juveniles possess high melanin levels, adults lose this pigmentation, revealing the white subcutaneous blubber beneath. In the subtropical waters of Taiwan, these dolphins dissipate heat during intense activity by shunting blood to the capillary networks near the skin's surface, resulting in a visible pink hue.

This illustration specifically depicts the Taiwanese subspecies, as known as Taiwanese white dolphin, which remains distinct from other populations by retaining characteristic dark gray spots even after reaching maturity, particularly concentrated on the dorsal fin.

This illustration is created for educational and scientific communication purposes. Its primary objective is to inform the public about the unique physiological characteristics of the Taiwanese white dolphin, specifically the biological mechanisms behind its iconic pink skin and age-related coloration changes.

The Taiwanese white dolphin is currently listed as Critically Endangered, with the wild population numbering fewer than 50 individuals, placing the species at severe risk of functional extinction. Despite being a representative symbol of Taiwan's western coastline, public understanding of its biological traits remains limited. As conservation efforts are now a matter of extreme urgency, this work aims to translate complex biological data into a visual narrative, deepening audience comprehension and fostering conservation awareness for this endangered cetacean.

This work integrates scientific evidence, field observation, and visual storytelling. During the technical preparation phase, I conducted in-depth research into key papers such as Geographic variation in pigmentation patterns of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in Chinese waters and the description of the Taiwanese subspecies. I also referenced official data from the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) in Taiwan. Furthermore, I visited the Natural History Museum in London, where I studied a cetacean skin model to verify the structural details of the outer skin and dermal ridges.

In terms of artistic execution, I synthesized these findings to design a comparative series of four life stages, complemented by a cross-sectional anatomical diagram of the skin. This approach visualizes the abstract biological process of melanin reduction and the resulting transition in coloration.

For calibration and optimization, I collaborated with researchers from the Matsu Dolphin Ecology Centre, a Taiwanese NGO dedicated to white dolphin conservation. Based on their extensive field experience, I made precise adjustments to the calves' body proportions and the distribution of mature spotting patterns, ensuring the illustration is both aesthetically engaging and morphologically accurate.