Dolphin. Introduction any of the toothed whales belonging to the families Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins) or Platanistidae (river dolphins).

Of the 32 species of dolphins in the Delphinidae, 6 are commonly called whales, including the killer whale and the pilot whales. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Most dolphins are small, measuring less than 3 metres (10 feet) in length, and have spindle-shaped bodies, beaklike snouts (rostrums), and simple needlelike teeth. Some of these cetaceans are occasionally called porpoises, but scientists prefer to use this term as the common name for the six species in the family Phocoenidae, all of which differ from dolphins in having blunt snouts and spadelike teeth. Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis).

Commerson's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii). Dolphins are popularly noted for their grace, intelligence, playfulness, and friendliness to humans. The most widely recognized species are the common and bottlenose dolphins (Delphinus delphis and Tursiops truncatus). The bottlenose, characterized by a built -in smile formed by the curvature of its mouth, has become a familiar performer in oceanariums. It has also become the subject of scientific studies because of its intelligence and ability to communicate by using a range of sounds and ultrasonic pulses. It adapts to captivity better than the common dolphin, which is timid. Natural history Dolphins are capable of living in either fresh or salt water. Distributed worldwide in all oceans and seas except the Caspian and Aral seas, they range from equatorial to subpolar waters and also can be found in many major river systems. The common and bottlenose dolphins are widely distributed in warm and temperate seas. They are swift swimmers; the bottlenose can attain speeds of nearly 30 km/hr (18.5 mph) in short bursts, and common dolphins are even faster. A number of species are attracted by moving ships and often accompany them, leaping alongside and sometimes riding the waves created by the ships' bows. Some coastal species of oceanic dolphins spend considerable amounts of time in fresh water. Most river dolphins live in fresh water that may be several thousand kilometres

from the sea, although some spend their lives in coastal waters. Dolphins are social, gathering in schools from five to several thousand. All are carnivorous, feeding on fish, squid, and other invertebrates.

Paleontology and classification Dolphins first appear as fossils from the Early Miocene Epoch (23.8 million to 16.4 million years ago)a time when the cetacean fauna was more diverse. All of today's dolphin groups were present in the Miocene, as were at least three extinct families whose members would be called dolphins (Eurhinodelphidae, Hemisyntrachelidae, and Acrodelphidae). Family Delphinidae (oceanic, or marine, dolphins) 32 species in 17 genera found worldwide, some of which occasionally venture into fresh water. Genus Lagenorhynchus (white-sided and white-beaked dolphins) 6 species found in subpolar to temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere and polar to temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere. Genus Stenella (spinner, spotted, and striped 5 species found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters. dolphins)

Genus Cephalorynchus (piebald dolphins) 4 species found in coastal waters of South America, southern Africa, and New Zealand. Genus Globicephala (pilot 2 species found worldwide in subpolar to tropical waters. whales)

Genus Lissodelphis (right whale dolphins) 2 species found in cooler temperate waters, 1 of the Northern Hemisphere and 1 of the Southern Hemisphere. Genus Sousa (humpbacked dolphins) 2 coastal species, 1 of eastern Africa, India, and the western Pacific Ocean and 1 of western Africa.

Genus Delphinus (common, or short-beaked saddleback, 1 species found worldwide in tropical to temperate waters. Genus Feresa (pygmy killer 1 species found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. Genus Grampus (grampus, or Risso's 1 species found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate regions. Genus Lagenodelphis (Fraser's 1 species found in tropical and subtropical waters.

dolphin) whale) dolphin) dolphin)

Genus Orcaella (Irrawaddy dolphin) 1 coastal species of eastern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. Genus Orcinus 1 species found worldwide. (killer whale, or orca) whale) whale)

Genus Peponocephala (melon-headed 1 offshore species found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. Genus Pseudorca (false killer 1 species found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters.

Genus Sotalia (tucuxi, or gray dolphin) 1 species of the rivers and coasts of tropical and subtropical eastern South America. Genus Steno (rough-toothed dolphin) 1 deepwater species found worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters. Genus Tursiops (bottlenose 1 species found worldwide in tropical to cold temperate waters. dolphin)

Family Platanistidae (river dolphins) 5 species in 4 genera inhabiting rivers and coasts of eastern South America and China and the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers.