Delphinoidea

Common dolphins

• Gründel whales ( Monodontidae )
• Porpoises ( Phocoenidae )
• Dolphins ( Delphinidae )

The dolphin -like ( Delphinoidea ) form a superfamily within the order of whales ( Cetacea). Summarize the three families of Gründel whales ( Monodontidae ), harbor porpoises ( Phocoenidae ) and the Dolphins ( Delphinidae ) together.

Despite significant differences in body shape, these three groups for matches about the structure of the skull and have - compared with other whales - a relatively unspecialized physique. The close relationship of these three groups was also confirmed by molecular genetic studies. It was found that Gründel and porpoises be sister and are closer related to each other than with the dolphins. The monophyly of each of the three families could also be confirmed.

The river dolphins that were once seen as a close relative of the dolphins are only distantly related to these three groups. The dolphin -like sea creatures are largely, although some species (like the Sotalia or Glattschweinswal ) often found in fresh water.