Dolphin

See article below.

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Dolphins are certain aquatic mammals related to whales and porpoises. The name is from Ancient Greek δελφίς delphis meaning "with a womb", viz. "a 'fish' with a womb".

Related Topics:
Mammal - Whale - Porpoise - Ancient Greek

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The word is used in a few different ways. It can mean:

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• Any member of the family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins),
• Any member of the families Delphinidae and Platanistoidea (oceanic and river dolphins),
• Any member of the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales; these include the above families and some others),
• Used casually as a synonym for Bottlenose Dolphin, the most common and familiar species of dolphin.

In this article, the second definition is used.

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Porpoises (suborder Odontoceti, family Phocoenidae) are thus not dolphins in our sense. Orcas and some related species belong to the Delphinidae family and therefore qualify as dolphins, even though they are called whales in common language.

Related Topics:
Porpoise - Odontoceti - Phocoenidae - Orca

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There are almost 40 species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from 1.2 m (4 ft) and 40 kg (88 lb) (Maui's Dolphin), up to 9.5 m (30 ft) and 10 tonnes (the Orca). Most species weigh about 50 to 200 kg (110 to 440 lb). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and all are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid.

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The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacea, and relatively recent: dolphins evolved about 10 million years ago, during the Miocene.

Related Topics:
Family - Miocene

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Dolphin: Taxonomy ►