Order CetaceaDolphins, Porpoises and Whales

Amanda Rosenberger

Order Cetacea

• Cetus – Latin – Meaning ‘whale’ (modern use)– Meaning ‘large sea animal’ (original usage)

• Ocean dwelling mammals– Lungs to breath– Warm-blooded– Hair, may be abundant to scarce, some

microscopic– Live young

Characteristics

• Fusiform – spindled-shaped• Front forearms are flippers• Hind legs are tiny or non-existent (vestigial)• Horizontal tail – flukes• Swim by moving body up and down vs. fish

which swim side to side

Classification

• Kingdom - Animalia• Phylum - Chordata• Class - Mammalia• Order - Cetacea• Suborder (s)

– Mysticeti– Odontoceti

Evolution• Modern whales and their first cousin, the

hippopotamus• New research suggests that Cetaceans belong

to the even-toed ungulates, Order - Artiodactyla

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050205103109.htm

Suborder - Mysticeti

• Baleen whales – Filter feeders– Baleen plates

• 15 species– Largest is the Blue Whale

• V-shaped blowhole• Slower swimmers• Hunted for oil and baleen

Suborder - Odontoceti• Toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises• 73 species• Use echolocation, fast swimmers• Have no vocal cords• Blowhole is used for vocalizations• Human impact on species is greatest.

– Zoos – Bottlenosed Dolphins, Orcas and Belugas

– Military use, fisheries competition, tourism, ship strikes, movies