Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Environmental Sciences

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Series

1969

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Blind River Dolphin: First Side-Swimming Cetacean, Earl S. Herald, Robert L. Brownell Jr., Fredric L. Frye, Elkan J. Morris, William Evans, Alan Scott Dec 1969

Blind River Dolphin: First Side-Swimming Cetacean, Earl S. Herald, Robert L. Brownell Jr., Fredric L. Frye, Elkan J. Morris, William Evans, Alan Scott

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

The blind river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), first written about by Pliny the Elder in A.D. 72, was found (10 November 1968) to be the first known side-swimming cetacean. The rudimentary eye lacks the lens, but anatomical evidence suggests that the eye may serve as a light sensor. The underwater sound emissions of this species, although similar to those of the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), appear to be produced constantly.


Taxonomy Of The Common Dolphins Of The Eastern Pacific Ocean, Richard C. Banks, Robert L. Brownell Jr. May 1969

Taxonomy Of The Common Dolphins Of The Eastern Pacific Ocean, Richard C. Banks, Robert L. Brownell Jr.

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Delphinus bairdii Dall is a species of dolphin distinct from D. delphis Linnaeus, with which it has usually been synonymized. D. bairdii has a longer rostrum relative to the zygomatic width of the skull; the ratio of these measurements falls at 1.55 or above for bairdii and 1.53 and below for delphis. In the eastern Pacific Ocean, D. bairdii is found in the Gulf of California and along the west coast of Baja California, Mexico; D. delphis is presently found in the waters off California. Until approximately the beginning of the present century, bairdii occurred farther north in the …