Common Dolphins: Delphinus delphis and D. capensis

摘要: Publisher Summary All the common dolphins are slender and have a long beak sharply demarcated from melon. The dorsal fin is high moderately falcate, although in some areas it may be erectly triangular. two species distinguished other by unique crisscross color pattern formed interaction of overlay cape, resulting distortions usual delphinine lateral ventral fields. lower margin passes anteriorly dips to cross low-riding yielding four-part dark gray black uppermost portion or spinal field (cape under overlay), buff pale yellow anterior thoracic patch (undiluted cape), light medium posterior flank overlay/lateral field), white abdominal field. A flipper-to-anus stripe parallel cape extend genital region. flipper runs forward join lip on underside beak. In short-beaked species, crisper, more yellowish, sub-cape tends narrow faint, pass low below corner gape. long-beaked including Indian Ocean subspecies, muted, grayish, buff, broad pronounced contiguous with stripe, wander toward gape before passing ventrally mark. flippers all centers. These relative features not evident juveniles.