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Information about List Of Dolphins

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The physical features of the toothed whales, in this case a bottlenose dolphin
Dolphins are aquatic mammals related to whales and porpoises, famous for their intelligence, apparent compassion, and joy. The name is from Ancient Greek δελφίς delphis meaning "with a womb", viz. "a 'fish' with a womb". A group of dolphins can be called a "school" or a "pod".

Dolphins are from the toothed whale group of whales, the Odontoceti. The word can be used to mean any member of the families Delphinidae and Platanistoidea (oceanic and river dolphins), and is often used as a synonym for the bottlenose dolphin the most well known dolphin.

Oceanic dolphins

Main article: Oceanic dolphin
Enlarge picture
A bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, typical oceanic dolphin, breaches the water


Oceanic dolphins are the members of the Delphinidae family of the sub-order Odontoceti of Cetaceaans. As the name implies, these dolphins tend to be found in the open seas, unlike the river dolphins, although a few species such as the Irrawaddy Dolphin are coastal or riverine.

Six of the larger species in the Delphinidae, the Pilot whales, and the Orca and its relatives, are commonly called whales, rather than dolphins. They are also sometimes collectively known as "blackfish".

The Delphinidae vary in size from 1.2 metres and 40 kg (Heaviside's Dolphin), up to 7 meters and 4.5 tonnes (the Orca). Most species weigh between about 50 and about 200 kg. They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and all are carnivores, mostly taking fish and squid.

River dolphins

Main article: River dolphins


River dolphins are four species of dolphin which reside in freshwater rivers and estuaries. They are classed in the Platanistoidea superfamily of the Odontoceti sub-order of Cetacea. Three species live in fresh water rivers. The fourth species, the La Plata Dolphin, lives in saltwater estuaries and the ocean. However it is scientifically classed in the river dolphin family rather than the oceanic dolphin family.

See also

References

  • Rice, Dale W. (1998). "Marine mammals of the world: systematics and distribution": 231pp. 
  • Mead, James G. and Robert L. Brownell, Jr (November 16 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 723-743. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.2005&rft.edition=3rd%20edition&rft.pub=Johns%20Hopkins%20University%20Press&rft.pages=723-743&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnmnhgoph.si.edu%2Fmsw%2F"> 

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Mammalia
Linnaeus, 1758

Subclasses & Infraclasses
  • Subclass †Allotheria*
  • Subclass Prototheria
  • Subclass Theria

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whale can refer to all cetaceans, to just the larger ones, or only to members of particular families within the order Cetacea. The last definition is the one followed here. Whales are those cetaceans which are neither dolphins (i.e.
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Phocoenidae
Gray, 1825

Genera

Neophocaena - Finless porpoise
Phocoena - Harbour porpoise et al.
Phocoenoides - Dall's porpoise
The porpoises are small cetaceans of the family Phocoenidae
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Intelligence is a property of mind that encompasses many related abilities, such as the capacities to reason, to plan, to solve problems, to think abstractly, to comprehend ideas, to use language, and to learn. There are several ways to define intelligence.
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Compassion is best described as an understanding of the emotional state of another; not to be confused with empathy. Compassion is often combined with a desire to alleviate or reduce the suffering of another; to show special kindness to those who suffer.
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Joy is an emotion of great happiness.

Joy may also refer to:

Joy as a surname

  • Alfred Harrison Joy American astronomer (d. 1973)
  • Bernard Joy, English footballer (d.

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Ancient Greek refers to the second stage in the history of the Greek language[1] as it existed during the Archaic (9th–6th centuries BC) and Classical (5th–4th centuries BC) periods in Greece.
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Odontoceti
Flower, 1869

Diversity
Around 73; see List of cetaceans or below.

Families
See text.

The toothed whales (systematic name Odontoceti) form a suborder of the cetaceans.
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Delphinidae
Gray, 1821

Genera

See text.
Oceanic dolphins are the members of the Delphinidae family of cetaceans. These aquatic mammals are related to whales and porpoises.
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Platanistoidea

Families

See text
River dolphins are four living species of dolphin which reside in freshwater rivers and estuaries. They are classed in the Platanistoidea superfamily of cetaceans. Three species live in fresh water rivers.
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Tursiops

Species: T. truncatus

Binomial name
Tursiops truncatus
Montagu, 1821


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Delphinidae
Gray, 1821

Genera

See text.
Oceanic dolphins are the members of the Delphinidae family of cetaceans. These aquatic mammals are related to whales and porpoises.
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Odontoceti
Flower, 1869

Diversity
Around 73; see List of cetaceans or below.

Families
See text.

The toothed whales (systematic name Odontoceti) form a suborder of the cetaceans.
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Cetacea
Brisson, 1762

Diversity
Around 88 species; see list of cetaceans or below.

Suborders

Mysticeti
Odontoceti
Archaeoceti (extinct)
(see text for families)

The order Cetacea
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Delphinidae and Platanistoidea
Gray, 1821

Genera

See article below.
Dolphins are aquatic mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in seventeen genera. They vary in size from 1.
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Platanistoidea

Families

See text
River dolphins are four living species of dolphin which reside in freshwater rivers and estuaries. They are classed in the Platanistoidea superfamily of cetaceans. Three species live in fresh water rivers.
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O. brevirostris

Binomial name
Orcaella brevirostris
Gray, 1866

The Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris
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Globicephala

Green: Long-finned range; Blue: Short-finned.


Species
Globicephala macrorhynchus
Globicephala melas

The pilot whale
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Orcinus

Species: O. orca

Binomial name
Orcinus orca
Linnaeus, 1758

Orca range (in blue)


The
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C. heavisidii

Binomial name
Cephalorhynchus heavisidii
Gray, 1828

Heaviside's Dolphin range


Heaviside's Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii
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C. commersonii

Binomial name
Cephalorhynchus commersonii
Lacépède, 1804

Commerson's Dolphin range


Commerson's Dolphin (
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C. eutropia

Binomial name
Cephalorhynchus eutropia
Gray, 1846

Chilean Dolphin range


The Chilean Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia
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C. heavisidii

Binomial name
Cephalorhynchus heavisidii
Gray, 1828

Heaviside's Dolphin range


Heaviside's Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii
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C. hectori

Binomial name
Cephalorhynchus hectori
Van Beneden, 1881

Hector's Dolphin range


Hector's Dolphin or White-headed Dolphin (
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Delphinus

Species: D. delphis
D. capensis

Binomial name
Delphinus capensis
Gray, 1828


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Delphinus

Species: D. delphis
D. capensis

Binomial name
Delphinus capensis
Gray, 1828


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Delphinus

Species: D. delphis
D. capensis

Binomial name
Delphinus capensis
Gray, 1828


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Feresa

Species: F. attenuata

Binomial name
Feresa attenuata
Gray, 1875

Pygmy Killer Whale range

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G. macrorhynchus

Binomial name
Globicephala macrorhynchus
Gray, 1846

Range map


The Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melaena
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G. melas

Binomial name
Globicephala melas
Traill, 1809

Range map


Synonyms
Globicephala melaena

The Long-finned Pilot Whale (
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