Name
Cetancodonta
whale
Framing
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Cetartiodactyla
Suborder: Cetancodonta
Habitat
Marine aquatic, pelagic
Feeding
Filter feeders using baleen (mainly ingesting small crustaceans, but also all kinds of small organisms)
Distribution
All oceans
Conservation status
Many globally threatened species. In Spain 7 species were included in the List of Species under Special Protection Regime, 5 considered vulnerable and 1 in danger of extinction (Royal Decree 139/2011). The latter, the Basque whale, is currently officially declared extinct in Spain (BOE nº 195 of 2018).
Additional information
Absence of teeth, with baleen. Nostrils displaced to the top of the head (two blowholes). Fin-like forelegs, no hind legs and strong, muscular tail.
Additional information
Bibliography
- Fernández Casado et al. (1997). Mamíferos marinos y tortugas del Mar de Alborán. Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Medio Ambiente. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Folkens, P. A., Reeves, R. R., Stewart, B., Clapham, P. J., Powell, J. A. (2005). Guía de los mamíferos marinos del mundo. Ed. Omega. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Hoelzel, A. R. (2002). Marine mammal biology: an evolutionary approach. Blackwell Science. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Jefferson, T. A., Webber, M. A., & Pitman, R. L. (2015). Marine mammals of the world: a comprehensive guide to their identification. 2nd ed. Academic Press. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Kinze, C. CH. (2002). Mamíferos marinos del Atlántico y del Mediterráneo. Ed. Omega. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Reeves, R., & Notarbartolo di Sciara, G. (2006). The status and distribution of cetaceans in the Black sea and Mediterranean Sea. IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation. https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2006-068.pdf
- Todd, V. L.G., Todd, I., Gardier, J., & Morrin, E. (2015). Marine mammal observer and passive acoustic monitoring handbook. Pelagic Publishing. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Wilson, D. E., & Mittermeier, R. A. (Eds) (2014). Handbook of the Mammals of the World 4. Sea Mammals. Lynx Edicions. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.