Saturday, December 17, 2011

Feresa: The Growling Wolf-Dolphin

The dolphin Feresa attenuata has been bestowed with dreadfully stupid common names. Feresa has been recognized as distinct from Orca since Gray (1871), which makes "Pygmy Killer Whale" both inappropriate and archaic. The alternative "Slender Blackfish" is actively misleading as the superficially similar Pseudorca is more slender (Reeves et al. 2002) and well-lit color photographs in Rossi-Santos et al. (2006) show that the species is actually brown, contra every illustration. I'll be calling the dolphin "Feresa" from here on out (I'm also not too fond of  "attenuata") as my alternate suggestion in the title is a tad verbose.

Feresea... maybe. This species can be distinguished from Pseudorca by having a proportionally larger dorsal fin (2 base lengths away from the blowhole vs. 2.5) and by having a clearly demarcated cape; Peponocephala can be distinguished by having pointed flipper tips, a pointed head when viewed from above, and no white extending around the face (Baird 2010). I think this is the case in the above photo, but I'm not entirely certain. Photo by Gary L. Friedrichsen from WoRMS.
Feresa is one of the most poorly-known toothed whales (McSweeney et al. 2009) and single sightings or strandings are still viewed as deserving publication (Baird 2010). Prior to 1954, the species was known from only two skulls (Reeves et al. 2002), making it extremely poorly-known even compared to beaked whales. What makes this absolutely shocking is that Feresa is not a cryptic species. They are known from the tropics and subtropics worldwide, are easy to detect in visual surveys, do not take extended dives, and (contra Leatherwood et al. 1982) do not avoid vessels (McSweeney et al. 2009). While their surface behavior is normally subdued compared to other dolphins, they have been observed jumping high above the surface and even riding on bow waves (Reeves et al. 2002). It appears that while a deep-water habitat and confusion with Pseudorca and Peponocephala can explain the lack of observations to a degree, the main factor is probably the species being rare (McSweeney et al. 2009).

In 1965 - a little over a decade after the external appearance of the animal became known - Feresa was held in captivity. Pryor (1991) remarked that one individual behaved "more like a wolf than a normal dolphin" would "growl and snap like as canid" and "not hesitate to attack people and other cetaceans". Since when are cetaceans capable of growling? This behavior has led some to presume that Feresa preys on mammals in the wild (Leatherwood et al. 1982) and aggression towards other dolphins has been observed whilst individuals were trapped in tuna seines (Reeves et al. 2002). Considering that both situations occurred in cramped and undoubtedly stressful environments, I think it is completely unfounded to conclude that Feresa is a pugnacious marine mammal-killing macropredator with the available evidence. Stomach contents have included squid and fish (Rodríguez-López and Mignucci- Giannoni 1999; Zerbini & Santos 1997)

Feresa skeleton. From Wikipedia Commons.
The skeleton of Feresa does appear superficially Orca-like, however, it is not a particularly close relative, hence my strong dislike of the "Pygmy Killer Whale". There is some disagreement as to how closely they are related; Slater et al. (2010) places Orcinus (and Orcaella) as the most basal delphinids, however Vilstrup et al. (2011) consider both to be both members of the clade Globicephalinae, but with Orca as the most basal member and Feresa as a derived member and close relative of Peponocephala and Globicephala. This seems like a very interesting group, and perhaps I'll give it some more coverage.


References:

Baird, R. W. (2010). Pygmy Killer Whales (Feresa attenuata) or False Killer Whales (Pseudorca crassidens) Identification of a Group of Small Cetaceans Seen off Ecuador in 2003. Aquatic Mammals 36(3), 326-327. Available.

Gray, J. E. (1871). Supplement to the Catalogue of seals and whales in the British Museum. Available.

Leatherwood, S., Reeves, R. R., Perrin, W. F., & Evans, W. (1982). Whales, dolphins, and porpoises of the eastern north pacific and adjacent arctic waters (NOAA Technical Report NMFA Circular 444). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service. Partially Available.

McSweeney, D. J., Baird, R. W., Mahaffy, S. D., Webster, D. L., and Schorr, G. S. (2009). Site fidelity and association patterns of a rare species: Pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) in the main Hawaiian Island. Marine Mammal Science 25(3), 557-572. Available.

Pryor, K. (1991). Mortal remains: Studying dead animals. In: Pryor, K. & Norris, K. S. (eds.) Dolphin Society: Discoveries and Puzzles. University of California Press: Berkeley. Available.

Reeves, R. R., Stewart, B. S., Clapham, P. J., & Powell, J. A. (2002). National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. Alfred A. Knopf: New York.

Rodríguez-López, M. A. & Mignucci-Giannoni, A. A. (1999). A stranded pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) in Puerto Rico. Aquatic Mammals 25(2), 119-121. Available.

Rossi-Santos, M., Baracho, C., Neto, E. S., & Marcovaldi, E. (2006). First sightings of the pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata, for the Brazilian coast. JMBA2 - Biodiversity Records. Available.

Slater, G. J., Price, S. A., Santini, F., and Alfaro, M. E. (2010). Diversity versus disparity and the radiation of modern cetaceans. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 277(1697), 3097-3104. Available.

Vilstrup, J. T., Ho, S. Y. W., Foote, A. D., Morin, P. A., Kreb, D., Krützen, M., Parra, G. J., Robertson, K. M., de Stephanis, R., Verborgh, P., Willerslev, E., Orlando, L., & Gilbert, M. T. P. (2011). Mitogenomic phylogenetic analyses of the Delphinidae with an emphasis on the Globicephalinae. BMC Evolutionary Biology 11(65). Available.

Zerbini, A. N. & Santos, M. C. O. (1997). First record of the pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata (Gray, 1874) for the Brazilian coast. Aquatic Mammals 23(2), 105-109. Available.

41 comments:

Rich said...

From my reading, such animals as the Pygmy Hippo and the Pygmy Chimpanzee are well known nowadays to have been inappropriately named (belonging to a distinct species). I think it's a common problem. I hadn't realized the "Pygmy Killer Whale" was another in that list. Are there others? I can think of the reverse case, as in "Giants"

Cameron McCormick said...

In Cetacea alone there's also the Pygmy Right Whale, Pygmy Sperm Whale, Pygmy (= Bandolero) Beaked Whale, Pygmy Bryde's (= Omura's) Whale, Pygmy Blue Whale, and the Pygmy Fin Whale.

Outside of Cetacea, there seem to be dozens more.

I don't have much of a problem with subspecies being referred to as "Pygmy" [whatever], but animals being referred to as pygmies of species they're not even close relatives of is just stupid. I think some old synonyms need to be resurrected.

Cameron McCormick said...

The use of "giant" does seem to be a bit more common and recognizable (Panda, Anteater, Tortoise), but I can't think of any instances of it being used to distinguish an unusually sized population as "pygmy" sometimes has.

I've sometimes seem Physeter called the "Giant Sperm Whale" which sounds cool, but (I begrudgingly admit) is unnecessary.

December 17, 2011 11:55:00 PM EST

Robert Boessenecker said...

Keep up the good work on cetacean/marine mammal posts - it's good to see other folks interested in this subject.

Live Links Of High PR Commenting Site said...

Truly nice post I like the information that you shown is hard to faith and many superbly I liked the way you afford things here.

Just Click : Live Links Of High PR Commenting Site

Gambar Model Jilbab Dian Pelangi 2015 said...

Hi everyone, it’s my first go to see at this website, and article is genuinely fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting these types of articles or reviews.

High School Diploma Online said...

Great work you have post here thanks a lot for sharing,

Anonymous said...

nice post. and so lucky find this web sepintasas mengenai Asam Urat. Apa itu Asam urat? Asam urat adalah zat sisa hasil dari metabolisme purin dari sisa makanan yang telah kita konsumsi. Asam urat tersebut akan dikeluarkan melalui kotoran atau urine. Tetapi, jika asam masuk secara berlebihan maka ginjal tidak bisa mengeluarkan asam urat tersebut dan akan menumpuk di dalam persendian, biasanya penyebab asam urat menumpuk karena buang air yang tidak lancar. Akibatnya persendian menjadi bengkak dan menyebabkan sulit untuk berjalan.

world said...


really interesting reading, when i am read very pleased and want to continue to read it. Good luck with this article. I also have articles that may be beneficial, as this article: obat inpeksi saluran kemih obat asam urat obat ejakulasi dini The article discusses health treatment. The next article also discusses the same thing borok di kulit kepala benjolan lemak di punggung I believe it would be useful. and which is also very useful to increase knowledge obat penyakit pankreas obat penyakit pembengkakan persendian The article is also great. or this one obat herbal rematik world herbal I'd love sharing goodness as with this article, hopefully it can benefit others.

Unknown said...

thanks for sharing insights, I like being able to add new knowledge at the same time new insights, thanks for giving new insight, may be useful to others his..
OBAT BATUK
OBAT SINUSITIS
OBAT KOLESTEROL
OBAT ASMA
OBAT AMBEIEN

money transfer comparison said...

I feel really happy to have seen your webpage and look forward to so many more entertaining times reading here. Thanks once more for all the details.money transfer comparison

flat icons said...

This is really good share about gifts,flat icons

contract management said...

I'm delighted to mature so additional functional and informative collection on your web site.contract management

Kitchen hood filters said...

you are so creative! I love all of these ideas! I am looking for employee recognition ideas and these most of these would be a big hit! Thanks for sharing!Kitchen hood filters

Prescription Discount Card said...

Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your website is very useful.Prescription Discount Card

Job posting software said...

I have recently started a blog, the info on this site Provide you’ve Helped Greatly me. Thanks for all of your time & work.Job posting software

treadmill desk said...

I so love this story. It's exactly the kind of stuff I like reading along with a great recipe. The lasagna looks soooo good!treadmill desk

Buy White Wine said...

Simply wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness on your submit is just excellent and i can suppose you are an expert on this subject.Buy White Wine

mortgage closing costs said...

This can be well-articulated, sharpened, and also aim. Precisely what important lessons have you found out that an individual applied to this post. Looking forward to go through your experience. Where have you came your own bottom line?mortgage closing costs

Anonymous said...

Thanks for share, It's useful.
Taxi tải giá rẻ
dịch vụ vận chuyển hàng hoá bắc nam
Taxi tải chở hàng giá rẻ

Qnc Jelly Gamat said...

Nice information..

Obat Bronkitis Herbal
Cara Mengobati Bronkitis Secara Alami
Walatra Sehat Mata Softgel

vinyl siding columbus ohio said...

Your blog has always been a good source for me to get quality tips on blogging. Thanks once again.

Kelemahan Teori Evolusi Menurut Lamarck said...

Thanks for the informative blog. The place else may possibly just I get that kind of info written in such a excellent approach? I’ve a venture that I’m just now operating on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such info.

Unknown said...

These things are so interesting that I have a lot of interest and is very interesting.


สูตรบาคาร่า

Riko JR said...

Thank you for visiting, thank you for giving us the information we need, do not forget to visit our page or website to share information about health thanks.
obat gudik Scabies
obat balas bogo
cara mengatasi milia
cara menghilangkan balas bogo

Unknown said...

This is a great inspiring article. I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. PPC Services in Delhi

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed reading your blogs...Keep post!
Visit us: Social Media Marketing Packages India

4477satu said...

http://sehatselalu002.sosblogs.com/The-first-blog-b1/Pengobatan-Alternatif-Ambeien-Keluar-Darah-b1-p1565.htm Jutaan orang menderita wasir dan ada laporan bahwa ini adalah salah satu penyakit sistem pencernaan yang paling umum terjadi. Sayangnya, orang yang menderita kondisi ini biasanya tidak membicarakan hal itu dan kondisi ini dianggap sebagai salah satu masalah kesehatan yang paling sering diabaikan, mungkin karena mereka malu untuk berbicara tentang hal itu atau bahkan malu mencari pengobatan untuk itu. Cara terbaik untuk menangani wasir adalah dengan mencari perawatan medis. Wasir tidak mengancam nyawa tapi tentu saja anda juga harus memastikan bahwa itu bukan merupakan gejala dari kondisi yang lebih serius. Karena itu maka cara terbaik adalah mencari bantuan profesional untuk diagnosa dan segera melakukan pengobatan. Ambeien Keluar Darah Apakah Berbahaya?

Eksim Basah Apa Obatnya? Gunakan penyedot debu untuk membersihkan area-area yang suit untuk dibersihkan oleh sapu. Jangan lupa juga untuk membersihkan bagian-bagian rumah lainnya yang mungkin menjadi sarang bakteri, jamur dan virus, seperti lemari, kaca dan tempat tidur. Pengobatan Gatal gatal Akibat Eksim

Obat Ambeien Tradisional Terdaftar Di BPOM Hemmorroid atau ambeien atau wasir merupakan penyakit yang muncul akibat terjadinya gumpalan – gumpalan pembuluh darah pada daerah dubur anda. Keadaanya seperti pada kaki anda yang terdapat pembengkakan varises. Hal ini terjadi karena rectum yang berfungsi sebagai penyimpanan abdestimizi sebesar dua (2) otot pcs atau spinchter secara otomatis terbuka di saat otot internal dalam kondisi parallel atau dengan kata lain harmoni kinerja antara otot luar dan dalam mengalami kerusakan. Dan keadaan ini dapat terjadi baik di internal (dalam) maupun eksternal (luar). Obat Ambeien Herbal Ambejoss Terbaik dan Terdaftar Di BPOM

http://www.denature.51shilongwang.com/mengapa-kemaluan-pria-keluar-nanah/ Mengapa obat ini disebut obat gonore ampuh ? karena kita ketahui sendiri kedua khasiat ini merupakan obat yang seratus persen menggunakan bahan dari alam sehingga kita tidak perlu khawatir lagi dengan dampak ataupun efek samping yang ditimbulkan. Memang sekarang ini pada kenyataanya obat-obatan kimia dan operasi memiliki cara kerja yang cepat dan instant. Akan tetapi, dibalik itu semua terdapat dampak yang cukup bahaya nantinya. Untuk obat gonore ampuh kahasiat daun kumis kucing dan binahong ini juga cukup murah dan mudah didapatkan sehingga semua kalangan dapat menggunakanya. Nah, dibawah ini akan dijelaskan kandungan dan kehebatan khasiat dari daun kumis kucing dan binahong. Sebab Kemaluan Mengeluarkan Nanah

Unknown said...

I can only express a word of thanks. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge I, thank has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
Obat Jantung Berdebar Walatra Sehat raga
Cara Mengatasi Insomnia

Riko JR said...

I can only express a word of thanks. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge I, thank has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
cara menurunkan leukosit leukositopenia tinggi obat penumbuh Sel kulit baru
Cara mengobati kanker otak
Hopefully, sustenance will be easy and simplified in all matters :-)
DISTRIBUTOR QNC JELLY GAMAT
Cara menumbuhkan sel kulit baru
obat kantung mata hitam

Riko JR said...


Hopefully with the content on this blog, I can add to my insight, thank you |
Cara Mengatasi Fungsi Ginjal |
Cara Mengatasi Bisul Di Anus |
Obat cacar api paling ampuh |
obat kulit kepala bernanah

Riko JR said...


Thank you for sharing a good and interesting article ...
I hope the new posts will increase and can be a very good reference.
Hopefully more success thank you very much..
Cara Mengobati Kelenjar Ludah Bengkak
Cara Mengobati Borok di Kepala
Obat Kista Ukuran 8 Cm Dan 7 Cm
Cara Menumbuhkan Jaringan Daging
Obat penyakit dompo

Riko JR said...

I can only express a word of thanks. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge I, thank has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
obat penyakit dompo
obat kebas dan kesemutan
obat ispa di apotik
cara mengobati sekelan

Sayna said...

You’ve got some interesting points in this article.طراحی لوگو

Ascent World said...

Enjoyed reading the article above, really explains everything in detail, the article is very interesting and effective. Thank you and good luck for the upcoming articles. Check this out

ISO 9001 Certification

UFA888 said...

This Is Really Useful And Nice Information. สมัคร ufabet
This are such great articles. สมัคร ufabet This articles can help you to make some new ideas.
https://soccersurfer98.hatenablog.com/entry/2020/09/02/132139?_ga=2.193217001.552343305.1598844608-1286484823.1596077192 I appreciate for reading my blogs.

UFA888 said...


This are new articles style for you. https://sbo98bet.wixsite.com/sbo98bet/post/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3-ufabet amazin555 http://foxz98bet.over-blog.com/ufabet-6 It might help you to write or think some new idea.
https://dafa98bet.weebly.com/36263617363335883619362636173634359436363585/-ufabet8326348 Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post.
https://w88-com.jimdofree.com/2020/09/01/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3-ufabet/ I am very glad for reading my articles.

Ufa88kh said...

Thanks for sharing such an informative post with us and also the best
wordpress
blogspot
youtube
ភ្នាល់បាល់

PG-SLOT.GAME said...

สล็อต pg เว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ มาแรงที่สุดของเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ในปีนำทุกค่ายสล็อต pgslot ไม่ว่าจะเป็นสล็อตแบบฝากเงินพนันจริงหรือทดลองเล่นแบบไม่ต้องเสียตังค์ก็มีที่เว็บ PG-SLOT.GAME

PG World said...

Slot PG World ก็คือเป็นเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ที่ได้รับความนิยมมากในวงการเกมสล็อตในประเทศไทย โดยเกมนี้ได้รับการพัฒนาและจัดทำโดยบริษัท PG SLOT

Komal Sharma said...

You have shared amazing information, hope you publish more content. Please also visit my website and blog, hope you will also learn something new from my blog.