Dolphin Scientific Classification
Hi All,
I plan to add this series of information I have had for while and bring it back out and post in the Dolphin World blog for you to know. I hate for this information to disappear into cyberspace and I know the blog will hold the information better.
Dolphin Scientific Classification
A. Order–Cetacea.
The scientific order Cetacea includes all whales. This order is further divided into three suborders.
1. Odontoceti (toothed whales).
The toothed whales include dolphins, porpoises, beluga whales, beaked whales, and sperm whales.
2. Mysticeti (baleen whales).
The baleen whales include blue whales, gray whales, and right whales.
3. Archaeoceti.
The archaeocetes are an extinct group of whales, of which only fossils remain (Barnes, 1990).
B. Family–Delphinidae.
Dolphins and their immediate kin are included in the scientific family Delphinidae. This family is represented by about 30 species, including common dolphins, pilot whales, killer whales, and false killer whales.
C. Genus, species–Tursiops truncatus.
Although biochemical evidence supports the existence of several geographical races, most scientists currently recognize only one species of bottlenose dolphin (Klinowska, 1991).
I hope we did not miss anything. Does anyone out there have something add to this list or any comments?
God Bless,
John
