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List of cetaceans
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Everything about List Of Cetaceans totally explainedThis 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're not listed here. This list contains only the known, extant cetacean species including several recent discoveries (the Baiji is also included though it's 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
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
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.
Family Balaenopteridae: Rorquals
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.
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75-130 kilograms
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|Long-beaked Common Dolphin
|Delphinus capensis
Gray, 1828
|Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)
|Unknown
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70-110 kilograms
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|Arabian Common Dolphin
|Delphinus tropicalis
van Bree, 1971
|Unknown
|Unknown
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Lagenodelphis - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Fraser's Dolphin
|Lagenodelphis hosei
Fraser, 1956
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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209 kilograms
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Lagenorhynchus Gray, 1846 - 6 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|White-beaked Dolphin
|Lagenorhynchus albirostris
Gray, 1846
|Least Concern (LR/lc)
|100,000
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180 kilograms
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|Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
|Lagenorhynchus acutus
Gray, 1828
|Least Concern (LR/lc)
|200,000 - 300,000
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235 kilograms
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|Pacific White-sided Dolphin
|Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
Gill, 1865
|Least Concern (LR/lc)
|1,000,000
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85-150 kilograms
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|Dusky Dolphin
|Lagenorhynchus obscurus
Gray, 1828
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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100 kilograms
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|Peale's Dolphin (also known as Black-chinned Dolphin)
|Lagenorhynchus australis
Peale, 1848
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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115 kilograms
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|Hourglass Dolphin
|Lagenorhynchus cruciger
Quoy & Gaimard, 1824
|Least Concern (LR/lc)
|140,000
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90-120 kilograms
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Lissodelphis - 2 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Northern Right Whale Dolphin
|Lissodelphis borealis
Peale, 1848
|Least Concern (LR/lc)
|400,000
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115 kilograms
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|Southern Right Whale Dolphin
|Lissodelphis peronii
Lacépède, 1804
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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60-100 kilograms
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Grampus - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Risso's Dolphin
|Grampus griseus
G. Cuvier, 1812
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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300 kilograms
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Peponocephala - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Melon-headed Whale
|Peponocephala electra
Gray, 1846
|Least Concern (LR/lc)
|Unknown
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225 kilograms
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Feresa - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Pygmy Killer Whale
|Feresa attenuata
Gray, 1875
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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160-350 kilograms
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Pseudorca - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|False Killer Whale
|Pseudorca crassidens
Owen, 1846
|Least Concern (LR/lc)
|Unknown
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1.5-2 tonnes
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Orca - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Orca
|Orcinus orca
Linnaeus, 1758
|Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)
|100,000
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4.5 tonnes
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Globicephala - 2 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Short-finned Pilot Whale
|Globicephala macrorhynchus
Gray, 1846
|Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)
|Unknown
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1-3 tonnes
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|Long-finned Pilot Whale
|Globicephala melas
Traill, 1809
|Least Concern (LR/lc)
|Unknown
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3-3.5 tonnes
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Orcaella Gray, 1866 - 2 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Irrawaddy Dolphin
|Orcaella brevirostris
Gray, 1866
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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130 kilograms
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|Australian Snubfin Dolphin
|Orcaella heinsohni
Beasley, Robertson & Arnold, 2005
|Unknown
|Unknown
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Family Monodontidae: Narwhal and Beluga
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.
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900-1,500 kilograms
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Delphinapterus - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Beluga
|Delphinapterus leucas
Pallas, 1776
|Vulnerable (VU)
|100,000
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1.5 tonnes
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Family Phocoenidae: Porpoises
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.
Family Physeteridae: Sperm Whale
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.
Family Kogiidae: Dwarf and Pygmy Sperm Whales
The Dwarf and Pygmy Sperm Whales resemble Sperm Whales, but are far smaller. They are dark grey, dorsally, while ventrally they're 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.
Family Ziphiidae: Beaked Whales
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's 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's 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 characterised 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.
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2-3 tonnes
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Berardius - 2 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Arnoux's Beaked Whale
|Berardius arnuxii
Duvernoy, 1851
|Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)
|Unknown
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8 tonnes
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|Baird's Beaked Whale
|Berardius bairdii
Stejneger, 1883
|Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)
|Unknown
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12 tonnes
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Tasmacetus - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Shepherd's Beaked Whale
|Tasmacetus shepherdi
Oliver, 1937
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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2-2.5 tonnes
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|colspan="100%" align="center" style="background-color:lightblue;"|Subfamily Hyperoodontidae - 3 genera, 17 species
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Indopacetus - 1 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Longman's Beaked Whale
|Indopacetus pacificus
Longman, 1926
|Data deficent
|Unknown
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Hyperoodon - 2 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Northern Bottlenose Whale
|Hyperoodon ampullatus
Forster, 1770
|Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)
|10,000
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|7 tonnes
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|Southern Bottlenose Whale
|Hyperoodon planifrons
Flower, 1882
|Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)
|500,000
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|6 tonnes
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|colspan="100%" align="center" |Genus Mesoplodon Gervais, 1850 - 14 species
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!Common name!!Scientific name!!Status!!Population!!Distribution!!Size!!Picture
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|Hector's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon hectori
Gray, 1871
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1 tonne
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|True's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon mirus
True, 1913
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1.4 tonnes
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|Gervais' Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon europaeus
Gervais, 1855
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1.2 tonnes
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|Sowerby's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon bidens
Sowerby, 1804
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1-1.3 tonnes
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|Gray's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon grayi
von Haast, 1876
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1.5 tonnes
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|Pygmy Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon peruvianus
Reyes, Mead, and Van Waerebeek, 1991
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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|Andrews' Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon bowdoini
Gervais, 1850
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1 tonne
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|Bahamonde's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon bahamondi
Gray, 1874
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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|Hubbs' Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon carlhubbsi
Sowerby, 1963
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1.4 tonnes
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|Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon ginkgodens
Nishiwaki & Kamiya, 1958
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1.5 tonnes
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|Stejneger's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon stejnegeri
True, 1885
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1.5 tonnes
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|Layard's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon layardii
Gray, 1865
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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2 tonnes
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|Blainville's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon densirostris
Blainville, 1817
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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1 tonne
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|Perrin's Beaked Whale
|Mesoplodon perrini
Dalebout, Mead, Baker, Baker, & van Helding, 2002
|Data deficient
|Unknown
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Superfamily Platanistoidea: river dolphins
River dolphins are four 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. The fourth species, the La Plata Dolphin, lives in saltwater estuaries and the ocean. However it's 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: Boto
The Iniidae family of river dolphins is monotypic, containing only one genus and one species: the Boto. Although in the past two species were thought to exist is now accepted that just three subspecies of the Boto exist:
- I.g. geoffrensis - Amazon basin population (excluding Madeira river drainage area, above the Teotonio Rapids in Bolivia)
- I.g. boliviensis - Amazon basin population in the Madeira drainage area
- I.g. humboldtiana - Orinoco basin population
| Genus Inia - 1 species |
| Common name |
cientific name |
tatus |
opulation |
istribution |
ize |
icture |
| Boto (Amazon River Dolphin) |
Inia geoffrensis
Blainville, 1817 |
Vulnerable (VU) |
Unknown |
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150 kilograms |
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Family Lipotidae: Baiji
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. The species was declared functionally extinct in 2006 after an expedition to record population numbers.
Family Platanistidae: Ganges and Indus River Dolphin
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. In 1998 the results of these studies were questioned and the classification reverted to the pre-1970 consensus. Thus, at present, there are two subpecies recognized in the genus Platanista, Platanista gangetica minor (the Indus dolphin) and Platanista gangetica gangetica (the Ganges River dolphin).
Family Pontoporiidae: La Plata River Dolphin
The La Plata River Dolphin is the only species of the Pontoporiidae family and of the Pontoporia genus.
| Genus Pontoporia - 1 species |
| Common name |
cientific name |
tatus |
opulation |
istribution |
ize |
icture |
| La Plata Dolphin |
Pontoporia blainvillei
Gervais & d'Orbigny, 1844 |
Data deficient |
4,000-4,500 |
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50 kilograms |
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Notes and references
General references
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