Risso's dolphin

Risso's dolphin[1]
Size compared to an average human
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[3]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Grampus
Gray, 1828 [4]
Species:
G. griseus
Binomial name
Grampus griseus
(G. Cuvier, 1812)
  Distribution of Risso's dolphin

Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) is a marine mammal and dolphin, the only species of the genus Grampus. Some of the most closely related species to these dolphins include: pilot whales (Globicephala spp.), pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata), melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), and false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens).[5] These dolphins grow to be about 10 ft in length and can be identified by heavy scarring that appears white. [6] They are located worldwide in cold to temperate waters, but most typically found along continental shelves due to their eating habits. Risso's dolphins have a diet that contains primarily cephalopods. [7] They are able to search for prey at various depths due to their ability to reach depths of almost 600m. Individuals typically travel in pods ranging anywhere from 10 to 50 dolphins, with which they form tight social bonds.[8]

Along with most marine species, the Risso's dolphin suffers from anthropogenic disruptions to the environment. Pollution, both from noise and plastics, is a common cause of higher mortality rates. Many can be, or have been, affected by entanglement in fishing nets and whaling. Risso's dolphins are currently protected in the United States; however, they are still hunted in other parts of the world. [9]

  1. ^ Mead, J. G.; Brownell, R. L. Jr. (2005). "Order Cetacea". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 723–743. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ Kiszka, J.; Braulik, G. (2018). "Grampus griseus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T9461A50356660. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T9461A50356660.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  4. ^ William Perrin (2014). Perrin WF (ed.). "Grampus Gray, 1828". World Cetacea Database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  5. ^ Baird, Robin (2008). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammale 2nd edition. Academic Press. pp. 975–976. ISBN 9780123735539.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference macleod was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Visser2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Baird, Robin (2008). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammale 2nd edition. Academic Press. pp. 975–976. ISBN 9780123735539.