List of porpoise species

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The porpoises are small cetaceans of the family Phocoenidae; they are related to whales and dolphins. 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.

• Finless Porpoise, Neophocaena phocaenoides
• Vaquita, Phocoena sinus
• Harbour Porpoise, Phocoena phocoena
• Burmeister's Porpoise, Phocoena spinipinnis
• Spectacled Porpoise, Phocoena dioptrica
• Dall's Porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli

[edit] Sea also

• Cetacea
• List of dolphin species
• List of whale species
• List of whale songs

[edit] References

• Rice, Dale W. (1998). "Marine mammals of the world: systematics and distribution": 231pp.
• Mead, James G. and Robert L. Brownell, Jr (November 16, 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 723-743. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.