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River Dolphins and Larger Toothed Whales

Ridgway and Harrison's Handbook of Marine Mammals, Volume 3

  • 1st Edition - June 1, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: Thomas Allen Jefferson, National Marine Mammal Foundation
  • Language: English

River Dolphins and Larger Toothed Whales, Volume Three in Ridgway and Harrison's Handbook of Marine Mammals, consists of species review chapters written by global experts on brack… Read more

Description

River Dolphins and Larger Toothed Whales, Volume Three in Ridgway and Harrison's Handbook of Marine Mammals, consists of species review chapters written by global experts on brackish and freshwater dolphin species and larger toothed whales. Each chapter includes a description of the species that is followed by sections on distribution and abundance, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, reproduction, parasites and diseases, and the impacts of human activities on the species. This series was founded to help scientists, conservationists, and informed laypersons alike find definitive reviews on all the world's living whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea cows, marine otters, and bears.

Some of the world's most beautiful, intelligent, and highly adapted mammals inhabit our seas and oceans and have stirred the human imagination for many centuries. As our knowledge of marine mammals grows, the need exists for a reliable and complete reference to the ecology and biology of these fascinating creatures. This book addresses this important need.

Key features

  • Provides in-depth reviews of sperm whales, beaked whales, and narwhals
  • Addresses the evolution, anatomy, ecology, distribution, and behavior of these marine mammal species
  • Features numerous photos of live and specimen animals, skulls, and anatomical details, along with distribution maps

Readership

Researchers and practitioners in marine biology, marine conservation, and marine mammal studies.Advanced undergraduate and graduate students in marine biology, conservation, and zoological disciplines

Table of contents

1. Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)

2. Franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei)

3. Susu (Platanista gangetica) and Bhulan (Platanista minor)

4. Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) and Australian snubfin dolphin (Orcaella heinsohni)

5. Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)

6. Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)

7. Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

8. Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf sperm whale (Kogia simus)

9. Baird's beaked whale, Sato’s beaked whale, and Arnoux's beaked whale (Berardius spp.)

10. Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris)

11. Shepherd's beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi)

12. Bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus and Hyperoodon planifrons)

13. Longman’s beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus)

14. Beaked whales of the genus (Mesoplodon spp.)

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: June 1, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editors

TJ

Thomas Allen Jefferson

Dr. Thomas Jefferson’s main interests are the development of marine mammal identification aids, and the systematics and population ecology of the more poorly known species of dolphins and porpoises. His work since receiving his PhD in 1983 has been related to conservation and management of marine mammals threatened by human activities. His current primary research focuses on the conservation biology of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) and finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) populations in Hong Kong and surrounding waters. I am also working on other projects looking at the systematics and ecology of these species throughout their ranges. In addition, I am involved in many other projects, including those on the conservation of the critically endangered vaquita (Phocoena sinus) and on the taxonomy and population ecology of common dolphins (Delphinus spp.)
Affiliations and expertise
Clymene Enterprises, CA, USA

NF

National Marine Mammal Foundation

San Diego, California, USA
Affiliations and expertise
San Diego, California, USA