List of cetaceans

?Cetaceans
Fossil range: Template:Fossilrange

Bottlenose Dolphin breaching

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Cetacea Brisson, 1762

This is a list of cetaceans. The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. It has just over eighty living species, divided into the suborders Odontoceti (the toothed whales, including dolphins and porpoises) and Mysticeti (the baleen whales). In addition, numerous species of extinct cetaceans exist, but they are not listed here. This list contains only the known, extant cetacean species including several recent discoveries (the Baiji is also included though it is believed to have gone extinct in 2006).

Cetaceans are aquatic mammals characterised by having a fusiform (streamlined) body shape, paddle-shaped front limbs and vestigial hind limbs. The tail has been flattened into a fluke to aid propulsion.

Suborder Mysticeti: baleen whales

Main article: Mysticeti

The baleen whales, also called whalebone whales or great whales, form the Mysticeti, one of two suborders of the Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Baleen whales are characterized by having baleen plates for filtering food from water, rather than having teeth, like with the Odontocetes. This distinguishes them from the other suborder of cetaceans, the toothed whales or Odontoceti. Living Mysticeti species have teeth only during the embryonal phase. Fossil Mysticeti had teeth before baleen evolved.

Family Balaenidae: Right Whales

See also: Balaenidae

Balaenidae is a family of cetaceans that contains two genera. Commonly called the Right Whales as it contains mainly Right Whale species. This name can be confusing, however, since one of the species is the Bowhead Whale, which is different to the Right Whale. All the Balaenidae whales have the following features: a smooth belly and chin, with no ventral grooves; a distinctive head shape with strongly arched, narrow rostrum (anatomy) and bowed lower jaw; lower lips that enfold the sides and front of the rostrum; long, narrow, elastic baleen plates (up to 9 times longer longer than wide) with fine baleen fringes; the fusion of all the cervical vertebrae and other skeletal characteristics; a slow swimming speed.^[1]

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – 1 species
Bowhead Whale	Balaena mysticetus Linnaeus, 1758	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	8,000–9,200	File:Cetacea range map Bowhead Whale.png	File:Bowhead whale size.svg 60 tonnes	File:Bowheads42.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Eubalaena Gray, 1864 – 3 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
North Atlantic Right Whale	Eubalaena glacialis Müller, 1776	Endangered (EN)	300	File:Eubalaena glacialis range map.png	File:Right whale size.svg 40–80 tonnes	File:Eubalaena glacialis with calf.jpg
North Pacific Right Whale	Eubalaena japonica Lacépède, 1818	Endangered (EN)	200	File:Eubalaena japonica range map.png	File:Right whale size.svg 60–80 tonnes	File:Eubalaena japonica drawing.jpg
Southern Right Whale	Eubalaena australis Desmoulins, 1822	Least Concern (LR/lc)	7,000	File:Cetacea range map Southern Right Whale.png	File:Right whale size.svg 40–80 tonnes	File:Southern right whale10.jpg

Family Balaenopteridae: Rorquals

See also: Balaenopteridae

Rorquals are the largest group of baleen whales, with nine species in two genera. They include the largest animal that has ever lived, the Blue Whale, which can reach 150 tonnes, two others that easily pass 50 tonnes, and even the smallest of the group, the Northern Minke Whale, reaches 9 tonnes.

Rorquals take their name from a Norwegian word meaning "furrow whale": all members of the family have a series of longitudinal folds of skin running from below the mouth back to the navel (except the Sei Whale, which has shorter grooves). These are understood to allow the mouth to expand immensely when feeding.

All rorquals have ventral grooves, and are the only cetaceans to have them. Additionally, they all have a dorsal fin, a broad, gently curving rostrum and short baleen plates.^[1]

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Subfamily Balaenopterinae – 1 genus, 8 species
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Balaenoptera – 8 species
Blue Whale	Balaenoptera musculus Linnaeus, 1758	Endangered (EN)	5,000–12,000	File:Cetacea range map Blue Whale.PNG	File:Blue whale size.svg 100–120 tonnes	File:Bluewhale877.jpg
Bryde's Whale	Balaenoptera brydei Olsen, 1913	Data deficient (DD)	90,000–100,000	File:Balaenoptera brydei range.png	File:Bryde's whale size.svg 16–18.5 tonnes	File:Balaenoptera brydei.jpg
Common Minke Whale	Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacépède, 1804	Near Threatened (LR/nt)	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Minke Whale.png	File:Minke whale size.svg 9 tonnes	File:Minke.jpg
Fin Whale	Balaenoptera physalus Linnaeus, 1758	Endangered (EN)	64,000	File:Cetacea range map Fin Whale.PNG	File:Fin whale size.svg 45–75 tonnes	File:LMazzuca Fin Whale.jpg
Pygmy Bryde's Whale	Balaenoptera edeni Anderson, 1879	Unknown	Unknown			File:Rorcual Edeni.jpg
Sei Whale	Balaenoptera borealis Lesson, 1828	Endangered (EN)	57,000	File:Cetacea range map Sei Whale.PNG	File:Sei whale size.svg 20–25 tonnes	File:Balaenoptera borealis 2.jpg
Southern Minke Whale	Balaenoptera bonaerensis Burmeister, 1867	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Antarctic Minke Whale.png	File:Minke whale size.svg 9 tonnes	File:Minke whale in ross sea.jpg
Omura's whale	Balaenoptera omurai Wada et al., 2003	Unknown	Unknown			File:Omura.jpg
Subfamily Megapterinae – 1 genus, 1 species
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Megaptera Gray, 1846 – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Humpback Whale	Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781	Least Concern (LR/lc)	80,000	File:Cetacea range map Humpback Whale.png	File:Humpback whale size.svg 25–30 tonnes	File:Humpback Whale underwater shot.jpg

Family Eschrichtiidae: Gray Whale

See also: Eschrichtiidae

The Gray Whale has been placed in a family of its own as it is sufficiently different from the right whales and the rorquals. The Gray Whale is the only benthic feeding baleen whale, filtering small organisms from the mud of shallow seas. They also have a gestation period of over a year, which is unusual for baleen whales.^[1]

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Eschrichtius – 1 species
Gray Whale	Eschrichtius robustus Lilljeborg, 1861	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	26,000	File:Cetacea range map Gray Whale.png	File:Gray whale size.svg 14–35 tonnes	File:Gray whale.jpg

Family Neobalaenidae: Pygmy Right Whale

See also: Neobalaenidae

The Pygmy Right Whale shares several characteristics with the Right Whales although what separates them from Right Whales is that they have a dorsal fin, and they have a very distinctive jaw configuration. Pygmy Right Whales also have a head no more than ¼ the size of their body, whereas the Right Whales have heads approximately ⅓ the size of their body.^[1]

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Caperea Gray, 1864 – 1 species
Pygmy Right Whale	Caperea marginata Gray, 1846	Least Concern (LR/lc)	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Pygmy Right Whale.png	File:Pygmy right whale size.svg 3-3.5 tonnes	File:Caperea marginata 3.jpg

Suborder Odontoceti: toothed whales

Main article: Odontoceti

The toothed whales (systematic name Odontoceti) form a suborder of the cetaceans. As the name suggests, the suborder is characterized by having teeth (rather than baleen). Toothed whales are active hunters, feeding on fish, squid, and in some cases other marine mammals.

Family Delphinidae: Oceanic Dolphins

See also: Delphinidae

Oceanic dolphins are the members of the Delphinidae family of cetaceans. These aquatic mammals are related to whales and porpoises. 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 Orca and its relatives, are commonly called whales, rather than dolphins. They are also sometimes collectively known as "blackfish".

The Delphinidae are characterised by having a distinct beak (unlike the Porpoises), two or more fused cervical vertebrae and 20 or more pairs of teeth in the upper jaw. None are more than 4 metres long.^[1]

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Cephalorhynchus Gray, 1846 – 4 species
Commerson's Dolphin	Cephalorhynchus commersonii Lacépède, 1804	Data deficient	3,400	File:Cetacea range map Commerson's Dolphin.PNG	File:Commerson's dolphin size.svg 35–60 kilograms
Chilean Dolphin	Cephalorhynchus eutropia Gray, 1846	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Chilean Dolphin.PNG	File:Chilean dolphin size.svg 60 kilograms	File:Tonino.jpg
Heaviside's Dolphin	Cephalorhynchus heavisidii Gray, 1828	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Heaviside's Dolphin.PNG	File:Heaviside's dolphin size.svg 40–75 kilograms	File:Heaviside-Delphin.jpg
Hector's Dolphin	Cephalorhynchus hectori Van Beneden, 1881	Endangered (EN)	2,000–2,500	File:Cetacea range map Hector's Dolphin.PNG	File:Hector's dolphin size.svg 35–60 kilograms	File:Hectors Dolphin.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Steno – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Rough-toothed Dolphin	Steno bredanensis Lesson, 1828	Data deficient	150,000	File:Cetacea range map Rough-toothed Dolphin.PNG	File:Rough-toothed dolphin size.svg 100–135 kilograms	File:Rough toothed dolphin.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Sousa – 3 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Atlantic Humpback Dolphin	Sousa teuszi Kükenthal, 1892	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Atlantic Humpback Dolphin.PNG	File:Humpback dolphins size.svg 100–150 kilograms
Indian Humpback Dolphin	Sousa plumbea Cuvier, 1829	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Indian Humpback Dolphin.PNG	File:Humpback dolphins size.svg 150–200 kilograms
Pacific Humpback Dolphin	Sousa chinensis Osbeck, 1765	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Pacific Humpback Dolphin.PNG	File:Humpback dolphins size.svg 250–280 kilograms	File:Pink Dolphin.JPG
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Sotalia – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Tucuxi	Sotalia fluviatilis Gervais & Deville, 1853	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Tucuxi.png	File:Tucuxi size.svg 35–45 kilograms	File:DELFIN DEL ORINOCO2.JPG
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Tursiops – 2 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Common Bottlenose Dolphin	Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Bottlenose Dolphin.png	File:Bottlenose dolphin size.svg 150–650 kilograms	File:Bottlenose Dolphin KSC04pd0178.jpg
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin	Tursiops aduncus Ehrenberg, 1833	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Bottlenose Dolphin.png	File:Bottlenose dolphin size.svg 150–650 kilograms	File:Tursiops aduncus.JPG
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Stenella Gray, 1866 – 5 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin	Stenella frontalis Cuvier, 1829	Data deficient	100,000	File:Verbreitungsgebiet des Zügeldelfins Stenella frontalis.PNG	File:Atlantic spotted dolphin size.svg 100 kilograms	File:Stenella frontalis.JPG
Clymene Dolphin	Stenella clymene Gray, 1846	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Clymene Dolphin.png	File:Clymene dolphin size.svg 75–80 kilograms	File:Clymenes.jpg
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin	Stenella attenuata Gray, 1846	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	3,000,000	File:Cetacea range map Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.PNG	File:Pantropical spotted dolphin size.svg 100 kilograms	File:Schlankdelfin.jpg
Spinner Dolphin	Stenella longirostris Gray, 1828	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Spinner Dolphin.PNG	File:Spinner dolphin size.svg 90 kilograms	File:Spinner dolphins.jpg
Striped Dolphin	Stenella coeruleoalba Meyen, 1833	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	2,000,000	File:Cetacea range map Striped Dolphin.PNG	File:Striped dolphin size.svg 100 kilograms	File:StripedDolpin.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Delphinus – 3 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Short-beaked common dolphin	Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758	Least Concern (LC)		File:Cetacea range map Short-beaked Common Dolphin.PNG	File:Common dolphin size.svg 70–110 kilograms	File:Delphinus delphis with calf.jpg
Arabian Common Dolphin	Delphinus tropicalis van Bree, 1971	Unknown	Unknown		File:Delphinus tropicalis size.svg 65–105 kilograms	File:Common dolphin.jpg
Long-beaked Common Dolphin	Delphinus capensis Gray, 1828	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	Unknown^[2]	File:Cetacea range map Long-beaked Common Dolphin.PNG	File:Common dolphin size.svg 80–150 kilograms	File:Dolphins Oman-2.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Lagenodelphis – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Fraser's Dolphin	Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser, 1956	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Fraser'sDolphin.png	File:Fraser's dolphin size.svg 209 kilograms	File:Fraser s group.jpg.jpeg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Lagenorhynchus Gray, 1846 – 6 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin	Lagenorhynchus acutus Gray, 1828	Least Concern (LR/lc)	200,000 – 300,000	File:Cetacea range map Atlantic White-sided Dolphin.PNG	File:Atlantic white-sided dolphin size.svg 235 kilograms	File:Lagenorhyncus acutus.jpg
Dusky Dolphin	Lagenorhynchus obscurus Gray, 1828	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Dusky Dolphin.PNG	File:Dusky dolphin size.svg 100 kilograms	File:DuskyDolphin.jpg
Hourglass Dolphin	Lagenorhynchus cruciger Quoy & Gaimard, 1824	Least Concern (LR/lc)	140,000	File:Cetacea range map Hourglass Dolphin.PNG	File:Hourglass dolphin size.svg 90–120 kilograms	File:Hourglas dolphin.jpg
Pacific White-sided Dolphin	Lagenorhynchus obliquidens Gill, 1865	Least Concern (LR/lc)	1,000,000	File:Cetacea range map Pacific White-sided Dolphin.PNG	File:Pacific white-sided dolphin size.svg 85–150 kilograms	File:Pacific white side dolphin.jpg
Peale's Dolphin (also known as Black-chinned Dolphin)	Lagenorhynchus australis Peale, 1848	Data deficient	Unknown^[3]	File:Cetacea range map Black-chinned Dolphin.PNG	File:Peale's dolphin size.svg 115 kilograms	File:Lagenorhynchus australis.jpg
White-beaked Dolphin	Lagenorhynchus albirostris Gray, 1846	Least Concern (LR/lc)	100,000^[4]	File:Cetacea range map White-beaked Dolphin.PNG	File:White-beaked dolphin size.svg 180 kilograms	File:White beaked dolphin.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Lissodelphis – 2 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Northern Right Whale Dolphin	Lissodelphis borealis Peale, 1848	Least Concern (LR/lc)	400,000^[5]	File:Cetacea range map Northern Right Whale Dolphin.PNG	File:Northern right whale dolphin size.svg 115 kilograms	File:Northern right whale dolphin.jpg
Southern Right Whale Dolphin	Lissodelphis peronii Lacépède, 1804	Data deficient	Unknown^[6]	File:Cetacea range map Southern Right Whale Dolphin.PNG	File:Southern right whale dolphin size.svg 60–100 kilograms
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Grampus – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Risso's Dolphin	Grampus griseus G. Cuvier, 1812	Data deficient	Unknown^[7]	File:Grampus griseus distribution.png	File:Risso's dolphin size.svg 300 kilograms	File:Rundkopfdelfin.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Peponocephala – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Melon-headed Whale	Peponocephala electra Gray, 1846	Least Concern (LR/lc)	Unknown^[8]	File:Cetacea range map Melon-headed Whale.PNG	File:Melon-headed whale size.svg 225 kilograms	File:Melon-headed whale large.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Feresa – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Pygmy Killer Whale	Feresa attenuata Gray, 1875	Data deficient	Unknown^[9]	File:Cetacea range map Pygmy Killer Whale.PNG	File:Pygmy killer whale size.svg 160–350 kilograms
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Pseudorca – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
False Killer Whale	Pseudorca crassidens Owen, 1846	Least Concern (LR/lc)	Unknown^[10]	File:Cetacea range map False Killer Whale.PNG	File:False killer whale size.svg 1.5-2 tonnes	File:False killer whale 890002.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Orcinus – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Orca	Orcinus orca Linnaeus, 1758	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	100,000^[11]	File:Cetacea range map Orca.PNG	File:Orca size.svg 4.5 tonnes
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Globicephala – 2 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Long-finned Pilot Whale	Globicephala melas Traill, 1809	Least Concern (LR/lc)	Unknown^[12]	File:Cetacea range map Long-finned Pilot Whale.PNG	File:Long-finned pilot whale size.svg 3-3.5 tonnes	File:Pilotwal2.JPG
Short-finned Pilot Whale	Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, 1846	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	Unknown^[13]	File:Cetacea range map Short-finned Pilot Whale.png	File:Short-finned pilot whale size.svg 1–3 tonnes	File:Short-finned Pilot Whale 1.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Orcaella Gray, 1866 – 2 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Australian Snubfin Dolphin	Orcaella heinsohni Beasley, Robertson & Arnold, 2005	Unknown	Unknown	File:Orcaella heinsohni range.png	File:Orcaella heinsohni size.svg 130–145 kilograms
Irrawaddy Dolphin	Orcaella brevirostris Gray, 1866	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Irrawaddy Dolphin.PNG	File:Irrawaddy dolphin size.svg 130 kilograms

Family Monodontidae: Narwhal and Beluga

See also: Monodontidae

The cetacean family Monodontidae comprises two unusual whale species, the Narwhal, in which the male has a long tusk, and the white Beluga.

The Monodontidae lack a dorsal fin which has been replaced by a tough fibrous ridge just behind the midpoint of the body and is probably an adaptation to swimming under ice, as both do in their Arctic habitat. The flippers are small, rounded and tend to curl up at the ends in adulthood. All, or almost all, the cervical vertebrae are unfused allowing the head to be turned independently of the body. None have any throat grooves.^[1]

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Monodon – 1 species
Narwhal	Monodon monoceros Linnaeus, 1758	Data deficient	25,000^[14]	File:Cetacea range map Narwhal.png	File:Narwhal size.svg 900-1,500 kilograms	File:Narwhals breach.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Delphinapterus – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Beluga	Delphinapterus leucas Pallas, 1776	Vulnerable (VU)	100,000^[15]	File:Cetacea range map Beluga.png	File:Beluga size.svg 1.5 tonnes	File:Belugawhale MMC.jpg

Family Phocoenidae: Porpoises

See also: Phocoenidae

The porpoises are small cetaceans of the family Phocoenidae. They are distinct from dolphins, although the word "porpoise" has been used to refer to any small dolphin, especially by sailors and fishermen. The most obvious visible difference between the two groups is that porpoises have spatulate (flattened) teeth distinct from the conical teeth of dolphins. In addition, porpoises are relatively r-selected compared with dolphins: that is, they rear more young more quickly than dolphins. All six species have small flippers, notched tail flukes, and no beak. All carry at least 11 pairs of small teeth in the upper and lower jaws.

Porpoises, divided into six species, live in all oceans, mostly near the shore. Probably best known is the Harbour Porpoise, which can be found across the Northern Hemisphere.

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Neophocaena – 1 species
Finless Porpoise	Neophocaena phocaenoides Cuvier, 1829	Data deficient^[16]	Unknown^[17]	File:Cetacea range map Finless Porpoise.PNG	File:Finless porpoise size.svg 30–45 kilograms	File:FinlessPorpoise2.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Phocoena – 4 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Harbour Porpoise	Phocoena phocoena Linnaeus, 1758	Vulnerable (VU)	Unknown^[18]	File:Cetacea range map Harbour Porpoise.PNG	File:Harbour porpoise size.svg 75 kilograms	File:Porpoise touching.jpg
Vaquita	Phocoena sinus Norris & McFarland, 1958	Critically Endangered (CR)	500^[19]	File:Cetacea range map Vaquita.PNG	File:Vaquita size.svg 50 kilograms
Spectacled Porpoise	Phocoena dioptrica Lahille, 1912	Data deficient	Unknown^[20]	File:Cetacea range map Spectacled Porpoise.PNG	File:Spectacled porpoise size.svg 60–84 kilograms	File:SpectacledPorpoise.jpg
Burmeister's Porpoise	Phocoena spinipinnis Burmeister, 1865	Data deficient	Unknown^[21]	File:Cetacea range map Burmeister's Porpoise.PNG	File:Burmeister's porpoise size.svg 50–75 kilograms
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Phocoenoides – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Dall's Porpoise	Phocoenoides dalli True, 1885	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	1,100,000^[22]	File:Cetacea range map Dall's Porpoise.PNG	File:Dall's porpoise size.svg 130–200 kilograms	File:Dalls Porpoise Underwater.JPG

Family Physeteridae: Sperm Whale

See also: Physeteridae

The Sperm Whale characteristically has a large, squarish head ⅓ the length of its body; the blowhole is slightly to the left hand side; skin usually wrinkled; and no teeth on the upper jaw.

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Physeter – 1 species
Sperm Whale	Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758	Vulnerable (VU)	200,000–2,000,000^[23]	File:Cetacea range map Sperm Whale 4.PNG	File:Sperm whale size.svg 25–50 tonnes	File:Sperm whale1b.jpg

Family Kogiidae: Dwarf and Pygmy Sperm Whales

See also: Kogiidae

The Dwarf and Pygmy Sperm Whales resemble Sperm Whales, but are far smaller. They are dark grey, dorsally, while ventrally they are lighter. They have blunt, squarish heads with a narrow underslung jaw; the flippers are set far forward, close to the head and the dorsal fin is set far back down the body.

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Kogia – 2 species
Dwarf Sperm Whale	Kogia sima Owen, 1866	Least Concern (LR/lc)	Unknown^[24]	File:Cetacea range map Dwarf Sperm Whale.png	File:Dwarf sperm whale size.svg 250 kilograms
Pygmy Sperm Whale	Kogia breviceps Blainville, 1838	Least Concern (LR/lc)	Unknown^[24]	File:Kogia breviceps range.png	File:Pygmy sperm whale size.svg 400 kilograms	File:Kogia breviceps.jpg

Family Ziphiidae: Beaked Whales

See also: Ziphiidae

A beaked whale is any of at least 20 species of small whale in the family Ziphiidae. They are one of the least-known families of large mammals: several species have only been described in the last two decades, and it is entirely possible that more remain as yet undiscovered. Six genera have been identified.

They possess a unique feeding mechanism known as suction feeding. Instead of catching their prey with teeth, it is sucked into their oral cavity. Their tongue can move very freely, and when suddenly retracted at the same time as the gular floor is distended, the pressure immediately drops within their mouth and the prey is sucked in with the water. The family members are characterized by having a lower jaw that extends at least to the tip of the upper jaw, a shallow or non-existent notch between the tail flukes, a dorsal fin set well back on the body, three of four fused cervical vertebrae, extensive skull asymmetry and two conspicuous throat grooves forming a 'V' pattern.^[1]

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Ziphius – 1 species
Cuvier's Beaked Whale	Ziphius cavirostris G. Cuvier, 1823	Data deficient	Unknown^[25]	File:Cetacea range map Cuvier's Beaked Whale.PNG	File:Cuvier's beaked whale size.svg 2–3 tonnes	File:Cuviers beaked whale-swfsc.jpg
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Berardius – 2 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Arnoux's Beaked Whale	Berardius arnuxii Duvernoy, 1851	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	Unknown^[26]	File:Cetacea range map Arnoux 27s Beaked Whale.png	File:Arnoux's beaked whale size.svg 8 tonnes	File:Berardius arnuxii.jpg
Baird's Beaked Whale	Berardius bairdii Stejneger, 1883	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	Unknown^[27]	File:Cetacea range map Baird 27s Beaked Whale.png	File:Baird's beaked whale size.svg 12 tonnes
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Tasmacetus – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Shepherd's Beaked Whale	Tasmacetus shepherdi Oliver, 1937	Data deficient	Unknown^[28]	File:Cetacea range map Shepherd 27s Beaked Whale.png	File:Shepherd's beaked whale size.svg 2-2.5 tonnes
Subfamily Hyperoodontidae – 3 genera, 17 species
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Indopacetus – 1 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Longman's Beaked Whale	Indopacetus pacificus Longman, 1926	Data deficent	Unknown^[29]	File:Cetacea range map Longman 27s Beaked Whale.png	File:Indopacetus pacificus size.svg 3,5-4 tonnes
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Hyperoodon – 2 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Northern Bottlenose Whale	Hyperoodon ampullatus Forster, 1770	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	10,000^[30]	File:Cetacea range map Northern Bottlenose Whale.PNG	File:Northern bottlenose whale size.svg 7 tonnes	File:Faroe stamp 200 Hyperoodon ampullatus.jpg
Southern Bottlenose Whale	Hyperoodon planifrons Flower, 1882	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)	500,000^[31]	File:Cetacea range map Southern Bottlenose Whale.PNG	File:Southern bottlenose whale size.svg 6 tonnes
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Mesoplodon Gervais, 1850 – 14 species
Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
Andrews' Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon bowdoini Gervais, 1850	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Andrews Beaked Whale.png	File:Andrew's beaked whale size.svg 1 tonne
Spade-toothed whale	Mesoplodon traversii, syn. Mesoplodon bahamondi Gray, 1874	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Mesoplodon traversii distribution.png	File:Mesoplodon bahamondi size.svg 1.2 tonnes
Blainville's Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon densirostris Blainville, 1817	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Blainvilles Beaked Whale.png	File:Blainville's beaked whale size.svg	File:Behavioral response study andros island bahamas 2007.JPG
Gervais' Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon europaeus Gervais, 1855	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Gervais Beaked Whale.png	File:Gervais' beaked whale size.svg 1.2 tonnes
Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon ginkgodens Nishiwaki & Kamiya, 1958	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale.png	File:Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale size.svg 1.5 tonnes
Gray's Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon grayi von Haast, 1876	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Grays Beaked Whale.png	File:Gray's beaked whale size.svg 1.5 tonnes
Hector's Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon hectori Gray, 1871	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Hectors Beaked Whale.png	File:Hector's beaked whale size.svg 1 tonne
Hubbs' Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon carlhubbsi Sowerby, 1963	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Hubbs Beaked Whale.png	File:Hubb's beaked whale size.svg 1.4 tonnes
Perrin's Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon perrini Dalebout, Mead, Baker, Baker, & van Helding, 2002	Data deficient	Unknown		File:Mesoplodon perrini size.svg 1.3–1.5 tonnes
Pygmy Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon peruvianus Reyes, Mead, and Van Waerebeek, 1991	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Pygmy Beaked Whale.png	File:Mesoplodon peruvianus size.svg 800 kilograms
Sowerby's Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon bidens Sowerby, 1804	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Sowerbys Beaked Whale.png	File:Sowerby's beaked whale size.svg 1-1.3 tonnes	File:Faroe stamp 197 Mesoplodon bidens.jpg
Stejneger's Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon stejnegeri True, 1885	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Stejneger sBeaked Whale.png	File:Stejneger's beaked whale size.svg 1.5 tonnes
Strap-toothed Whale	Mesoplodon layardii Gray, 1865	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Layards Beaked Whale.png	File:Straptoothed whale size.svg 2 tonnes
True's Beaked Whale	Mesoplodon mirus True, 1913	Data deficient	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Trues Beaked Whale.png	File:True's beaked whale size.svg 1.4 tonnes	File:Mesoplodon mirus.jpg

Superfamily Platanistoidea: river dolphins

See also: Platanistoidea

River dolphins are five species of dolphin which reside in freshwater rivers and estuaries. They are classed in the Platanistoidea superfamily of cetaceans. Four species live in fresh water rivers. The fifth 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. All species have adaptations to facilitate fish catching: a long, forceps-like beak with numerous small teeth in both jaws, broad flippers to allow tight turns, small eyes, and unfused neck vertebrae to allow the head to move in relation to the body.

Family Iniidae: River Dolphins

Main article: Iniidae

The Iniidae family of river dolphins contains only one genus and one species.

Amazon River Dolphin – I. geoffrensis
- I. geoffrensis geoffrensis – Amazon basin population (excluding Madeira river drainage area, above the Teotonio Rapids in Bolivia)
- I. geoffrensis humboldtiana – Orinoco basin population
- Bolivian River Dolphin – I. boliviensis – Amazon basin population in the Madeira drainage area

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Inia – 1 species
Boto (Amazon River Dolphin)	Inia geoffrensis Blainville, 1817	Vulnerable (VU)	Unknown	File:Cetacea range map Amazon River Dolphin.PNG	File:Amazon river dolphin size.svg 150 kilograms	File:Inia.png

Family Lipotidae: Baiji

Main article: Lipotidae

The Lipotidae family is another monotypic taxon, containing only the Baiji. Fossil records suggest that the dolphin first appeared 25 million years ago and migrated from the Pacific Ocean to the Yangtze River 20 million years ago.^[32] The species was declared functionally extinct in 2006 after an expedition to record population numbers.

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Lipotes – 1 species
Baiji (Chinese River Dolphin)	Lipotes vexillifer Miller, 1918	Critically Endangered (CR) Possibly extinct	13^[33]	File:Cetacea range map Chinese River Dolphin.PNG	File:Baiji size.svg 130 kilograms	File:Lipotes vexillifer.png

Family Platanistidae: Ganges and Indus River Dolphin

Main article: Platanistidae

The Platanistidae was originally thought to hold only one species (Ganges and Indus River Dolphin) but based on differences in skull structure, vertebrae and lipid composition scientists declared the two populations as separate species in the early 1970s.^[34] In 1998 the results of these studies were questioned and the classification reverted to the pre-1970 consensus. Thus, at present, there are two subspecies recognized in the genus Platanista, Platanista gangetica minor (the Indus dolphin) and Platanista gangetica gangetica (the Ganges River dolphin).^[35]

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Platanista – 1 species
Ganges and Indus River Dolphin	Platanista gangetica Roxburgh, 1801	Endangered (EN)	1,100^[36]	File:Cetacea range map Indus and Ganges River Dolphin 2.png	File:Ganges and Indus river dolphin size.svg 200 kilograms	File:Schnabeldelphin-drawing.jpg

Family Pontoporiidae: La Plata River Dolphin

Main article: Pontoporiidae

The La Plata River Dolphin is the only species of the Pontoporiidae family and of the Pontoporia genus.

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Population	Distribution	Size	Picture
colspan="100%" align="center" Template:Bgcolor-blue\|Genus Pontoporia – 1 species
La Plata Dolphin	Pontoporia blainvillei Gervais & d'Orbigny, 1844	Data deficient	4,000–4,500	File:Cetacea range map La Plata River Dolphin.PNG	File:La plata dolphin size.svg 50 kilograms	File:Pontoporia blainvillei.jpg

Notes and references

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 ^1.6 Martin, Dr. Anthony R. (1991). Whales and Dolphins, London: Salamander Books.
↑ The total population is unknown but numbers in the hundreds of thousands.
↑ Total population unknown but thought to be locally common – it is the most common dolphin found around the Falkland Islands
↑ Estimates of various stocks throughout the North Atlantic give an overall value into the high tens or low hundreds of thousands.
↑ Varying population estimates for areas around California and the North Pacific give a total of up to 400,000
↑ Surveys suggest that this is the most common dolphin off of Chilean waters.
↑ The population around the continental shelf of the United States has been recorded to be in excess of 60,000. In the Pacific a census recorded 175,000 individuals in eastern tropical waters and 85,000 in the west. No global estimate of population exists.
↑ Estimates for eastern tropical Pacific are 45,000 and another recent survey estimates population to be 1,200 for the eastern Sulu Sea, no global estimate is known.
↑ The only population estimate is of 38,900 individuals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
↑ The total population is unknown. The eastern Pacific was estimated to have in excess of 40,000 individuals and is probably the home of the largest grouping.
↑ Local estimates include 70–80,000 in the Antarctic, 8,000 in the tropical Pacific (although tropical waters are not the orca's preferred environment, the sheer size of this area — 19 million square kilometres — means there are thousands of orcas), up to 2,000 off Japan, 1,500 off the cooler northeast Pacific and 1,500 off Norway.
↑ Total population not known. There are estimated to be in excess of 200,000 in the Southern Ocean. The North Atlantic population is not known.
↑ Total population not known. There are 150,000 individuals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. There are estimated to be more than 30,000 animals in the western Pacific, off the coast of Japan.
↑ Aerial surveys suggest a population of around 20,000 individuals. When submerged animals are also taken into account, the true figure may be in excess of 25,000.
↑ There are estimated to be 40,000 individuals in the Beaufort Sea, 25,000 in Hudson Bay, 18,000 in the Bering Sea and 28,000 in the Canadian High Arctic. The population in the St. Lawrence estuary is estimated to be around 1000.
↑ There are not enough data to place finless porpoises on the endangered species list, except in China, where they are endangered. Their propensity for staying close to shore places them in great danger from fishing
↑ There are no good estimates of the animals' abundance. However a comparison of two surveys, one from the late 1970s and the other from 1999/2000 shows a decline in population and distribution.
↑ Several surveys have been taken although large gaps of data is missing so an overall value cannot be achieved. In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Central California 4,120; Northern California 9,250; Oregon and Washington 26,175. In the Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Maine 67,500; Skagerrak and Belt Seas 36,046; North Sea 279,367; Ireland and western UK 36,280.
↑ Only few serious attempts have been made to estimate the total size of the vaquita population. Varying numbers have been obtained although an average of about 500 is usually found.
↑ Nothing is known of the abundance of this porpoise. It was the most commonly encountered species during preliminary beach surveys undertaken on Tierra del Fuego.
↑ There are no quantitative data on abundance.
↑ The most recent estimate for the North Pacific and Bering Sea is 1,186,000.
↑ The total number of Sperm Whales throughout the world is unknown. Crude estimates, obtained by surveying small areas and extrapolating the result to all the world's oceans, range from 200,000 to 2,000,000 individuals.
↑ ^24.0 ^24.1 No global population estimates have been made. One survey estimated a population of about 11,000 in the eastern Pacific.
↑ Because of the difficulty of identifying the species the total global population is unknown.
↑ Arnoux's beaked whales seem to be relatively abundant in Cook Strait during summer
↑ Virtually nothing is known about the abundance of Baird's beaked whales, except that they are not rare as was formerly thought
↑ Nothing is known about the relative abundance of this species or its population composition.
↑ A 2002 survey estimates that there are 766 animals around Hawaii. No other population estimates exist for other locales.
↑ Total population is unknown but likely to be of the order of 10,000.
↑ There is thought to be a global population in excess of 500,000.
↑ Wang, Yongchen Farewell to the Baiji. China Dialogue. URL accessed on 2007-05-29.
↑ A survey from November–December 2006 failed to find any individuals. Another survey, from 1997, counted only 13 individuals. In 1986 surveys estimated the number to be at about 300.
↑ Pilleri, G., Marcuzzi, G. and Pilleri, O., 1982. Speciation in the Platanistoidea, systematic, zoogeographical and ecological observations on recent species. Investigations on Cetacea, 14: 15–46.
↑ Rice, DW (1998). Marine mammals of the world: Systematics and distribution, Society for Marine Mammalogy.
↑ Estimates give values of 1,100 Indus River Dolphins and maybe as few as 20 Ganges River Dolphins.

General references

Template:Cite journal: Rice cetacea classification
Template:MSW3 Cetacea
Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. URL accessed on 2006-11-09.

External links

.

CMS Small Cetaceans

Template:Animal lists

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).

[Martin-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 ^1.6 Martin, Dr. Anthony R. (1991). Whales and Dolphins, London: Salamander Books.

[2] The total population is unknown but numbers in the hundreds of thousands.

[3] Total population unknown but thought to be locally common – it is the most common dolphin found around the Falkland Islands

[4] Estimates of various stocks throughout the North Atlantic give an overall value into the high tens or low hundreds of thousands.

[5] Varying population estimates for areas around California and the North Pacific give a total of up to 400,000

[6] Surveys suggest that this is the most common dolphin off of Chilean waters.

[7] The population around the continental shelf of the United States has been recorded to be in excess of 60,000. In the Pacific a census recorded 175,000 individuals in eastern tropical waters and 85,000 in the west. No global estimate of population exists.

[8] Estimates for eastern tropical Pacific are 45,000 and another recent survey estimates population to be 1,200 for the eastern Sulu Sea, no global estimate is known.

[9] The only population estimate is of 38,900 individuals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean

[10] The total population is unknown. The eastern Pacific was estimated to have in excess of 40,000 individuals and is probably the home of the largest grouping.

[11] Local estimates include 70–80,000 in the Antarctic, 8,000 in the tropical Pacific (although tropical waters are not the orca's preferred environment, the sheer size of this area — 19 million square kilometres — means there are thousands of orcas), up to 2,000 off Japan, 1,500 off the cooler northeast Pacific and 1,500 off Norway.

[12] Total population not known. There are estimated to be in excess of 200,000 in the Southern Ocean. The North Atlantic population is not known.

[13] Total population not known. There are 150,000 individuals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. There are estimated to be more than 30,000 animals in the western Pacific, off the coast of Japan.

[14] Aerial surveys suggest a population of around 20,000 individuals. When submerged animals are also taken into account, the true figure may be in excess of 25,000.

[15] There are estimated to be 40,000 individuals in the Beaufort Sea, 25,000 in Hudson Bay, 18,000 in the Bering Sea and 28,000 in the Canadian High Arctic. The population in the St. Lawrence estuary is estimated to be around 1000.

[16] There are not enough data to place finless porpoises on the endangered species list, except in China, where they are endangered. Their propensity for staying close to shore places them in great danger from fishing

[17] There are no good estimates of the animals' abundance. However a comparison of two surveys, one from the late 1970s and the other from 1999/2000 shows a decline in population and distribution.

[18] Several surveys have been taken although large gaps of data is missing so an overall value cannot be achieved. In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Central California 4,120; Northern California 9,250; Oregon and Washington 26,175. In the Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Maine 67,500; Skagerrak and Belt Seas 36,046; North Sea 279,367; Ireland and western UK 36,280.

[19] Only few serious attempts have been made to estimate the total size of the vaquita population. Varying numbers have been obtained although an average of about 500 is usually found.

[20] Nothing is known of the abundance of this porpoise. It was the most commonly encountered species during preliminary beach surveys undertaken on Tierra del Fuego.

[21] There are no quantitative data on abundance.

[22] The most recent estimate for the North Pacific and Bering Sea is 1,186,000.

[23] The total number of Sperm Whales throughout the world is unknown. Crude estimates, obtained by surveying small areas and extrapolating the result to all the world's oceans, range from 200,000 to 2,000,000 individuals.

[ReferenceA-24] 24.0 ^24.1 No global population estimates have been made. One survey estimated a population of about 11,000 in the eastern Pacific.

[25] Because of the difficulty of identifying the species the total global population is unknown.

[26] Arnoux's beaked whales seem to be relatively abundant in Cook Strait during summer

[27] Virtually nothing is known about the abundance of Baird's beaked whales, except that they are not rare as was formerly thought

[28] Nothing is known about the relative abundance of this species or its population composition.

[29] A 2002 survey estimates that there are 766 animals around Hawaii. No other population estimates exist for other locales.

[30] Total population is unknown but likely to be of the order of 10,000.

[31] There is thought to be a global population in excess of 500,000.

[32] Wang, Yongchen Farewell to the Baiji. China Dialogue. URL accessed on 2007-05-29.

[33] A survey from November–December 2006 failed to find any individuals. Another survey, from 1997, counted only 13 individuals. In 1986 surveys estimated the number to be at about 300.

[34] Pilleri, G., Marcuzzi, G. and Pilleri, O., 1982. Speciation in the Platanistoidea, systematic, zoogeographical and ecological observations on recent species. Investigations on Cetacea, 14: 15–46.

[35] Rice, DW (1998). Marine mammals of the world: Systematics and distribution, Society for Marine Mammalogy.

[36] Estimates give values of 1,100 Indus River Dolphins and maybe as few as 20 Ganges River Dolphins.

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