1. Order Cetacea Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales
Amanda Rosenberger

2. Order Cetacea Cetus – Latin Ocean dwelling mammals
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

4. 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

5. Classification Kingdom - Animalia Phylum - Chordata Class - Mammalia
Order - Cetacea
Suborder (s)
Mysticeti
Odontoceti

6. Evolution Modern whales and their first cousin, the hippopotamus
New research suggests that Cetaceans belong to the even-toed ungulates, Order - Artiodactyla

7. Suborder - Mysticeti Baleen whales 15 species V-shaped blowhole
Filter feeders
Baleen plates
15 species
Largest is the Blue Whale
V-shaped blowhole
Slower swimmers
Hunted for oil and baleen

8. 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