26. a. Flippers large, and paddle-shaped, ovate, and rounded on the 

 distal end; dorsal fin tali and erect to i .8 m in males and 0.9 m in 

 females; 10-12 teeth in each jaw; teeth to 2.5 cm in diameter; 

 conspicuous black and white coloration; maximum body length 

 9.5 m. 



* Killer whale, Orciniis ona (A) 



b. Flippers long and pointed to slightly rounded at tip 



. Go to 27 



27. a. Dorsal tin located m forward one-third ot body, very broad at 

 base; head bulbous; body black, saddle sometimes present be- 

 hind dorsal fin and anchor-shaped white to gray patch on chin, 

 chest and belly; flippers one-sixth to one-fifth ot body length; 

 7-9 teeth in each jaw; thickened tail stock; maximum body 

 length 7 m. 



* Short-finned pilot whale, Clohtciphala macrorhynclius [9] (A) 



b. Dorsal fin located near midpoint ot back; head long 



Go to 28 



28. a. Flipper has distinctive hump on forward margin; 8-1 1 prominent 



teeth curved backwards and inH'ards. m each upper and lower jaw; 

 maximum body length 6 m. 



* False killer whale, Psiudcna crassidms (B) 



b. Flipper lacks distinctive hump on forward margin; 8-25 teeth 

 in each upper and lower jaw Go to 29 



29. a. 8-11 teeth in each jaw; flippers slightly rounded or bluntly 



pointed on tip; head rounded in profile; maximum body length 

 2.7 m. 



* Pygmy killer whale. Tmsa altcnuala (T; 



b. 20-25 teeth in each upper j,iw, 21-24 teeth in each lower jaw; 

 flippers sharply pointed on tip; head triangular in dorsal profile; 

 maximum length 2.7 m. 



* Melon headed whale, Pqiomciphala tltclra (T) 



;o. a. Beak short, usually less than about 2.5 cm Go to ]i 



b. Beak more than 2.5 cm Go to J2 



J I. a. Flippers very short; dorsal fin small, unitormly dark and 

 triangular; distinct black stripe trom beak to area ot anus; body 

 to at least 2.5 m; in profile beak shows very little separation 

 trom forehead; 58-44 teeth in each jaw; distribution pan- 

 tropical, not reported above 20 N. 



* Fraser's dolphin, Lagcnodclphis hosci (T) 



b. Flippers moderate length; dorsal fin tall, scimitar-shaped (very 

 hooked ) and bi-colored black and gray; body black with striking 

 light gray sides and white belly; black back interrupted by 2 

 longitudinal "suspenders"; body to at least 2.25 m: 25-52 teeth 

 m each upper jaw, 24-5 1 in each lower jaw; distribution tempe- 

 rate, not reported below 20 N. 



* Pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagcnorhynchus obhijuidcns (A) 



[9] There continues to be controversy over the correct taxonomic 

 placement ot North Pacific pilot whales. To date there is no reliable 

 way of distinguishing between the 2 proposed types in the flesh. The 

 only reliable way has been to examine the skulls to determine whether 

 or not the premaxillary bones extend outside (C. macrcrhynchm) or are 

 contained within the bounds ot the maxillary ( G. mclaina). 



60 



