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The common dolphin or Fraser's dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is a widely distributed pelagic mammal of the family Delphinidae, order Cetacea, found in all waters of tropical and warm temperate seas. They often accompany ships and play around boats and ride the bow-waves of large whales such as the fin whale. They are distinguished by a V-shaped black or dark grey saddle with a downward-orientated apex on the sides directly below the dorsal fin and a conspicuous white thoracic patch. The common dolphin feeds on small fish including blue whiting, pilchards, whiting, pollack and lantern fish and can dive to depths of 280 metres and stay under for as long as eight minutes. They are social animals, congregating in mixed sex schools of between ten and a few thousand animals.
 Research Common Dolphin
The halibut (Hippoglossus vulgaris) is a large flatfish (Pleuronectidae) found in the north Atlantic. It is usually about two metres in length and some times weighs more than 130 kg. It is distinguished by its long narrow body, both its eyes on the right side of the body, large mouth and dark olive back. It is mainly found in deep water where it feeds on other fishes. It spawns in spring, producing millions of pelagic eggs.
Research Halibut
The harp seal or saddleback (Phoca groenlandicus) is a gregarious Arctic seal. The adult male is generally light grey with a harp-shaped black band running along the flanks and across the back. The head to just behind the eyes is black. In females both facial and harp markings are usually paler and may be broken into spots. The tail is short and slightly flattened dorso- ventrally. Harp seals spend most of the year at sea, venturing onto sea ice to mate and moult. There are three breeding regions for the harp seal: off Newfoundland, off Jan Mayen Island and in the White Sea. Harp seals eat pelagic crustacea and fish, especially capelins and also herring, cod and other fish which the adults will dive to 200 metres to catch.
Research Harp Seal
Ianthina (purple shell or violet snail) is a genus of beautiful pelagic gastropods of a violet colour. They float at the surface of the sea, with the thin shells upturned and feed on various kinds of jelly-fish. A special peculiarity is the 'raft', which is attached to the foot, and has the egg capsules suspended from its under surface. This raft or float consists of a mucoid substance, and is filled with air-bubbles, by means of which it sustains the attached animal at the surface of the water. The ancient Tyrian purple dye was obtained in part from these animals.
Research Ianthina
The mackerel is any of various pelagic fish of the genus Scomber, and of several related genera found in the north Atlantic and Mediterranean. Species of
mackerel include the common mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and the Spanish
mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) which is found off the coast of American and is covered with bright yellow circular spots.
Research Mackerel
Pelagic refers to animals that live in the open sea.
Research Pelagic
The rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) is a pelagic mammal of the family Delphinidae found in tropical and subtropical seas. The animals have a long conical beak that is continuous with the forehead. The colouration is dark grey tinged with purple on the back and flanks, with a white underside with pink or bluff blotches. The dorsal fin in the middle of the back is sickle-shaped. Rough-toothed dolphins are attracted to fast-moving vessels, and can swim at 19 mph.
Research Rough-Toothed Dolphin
Salpa is a genus of tunicates, whose members are transparent, pelagic, and occur in great numbers in some seas. There is a well marked alternation of generations, an asexual nurse form giving rise to a chain of small asexual forms, which eventually break off and swim away. Each then produces a single egg, which develops into an embryo, this being temporarily attached to the mother by a placenta. Ultimately the embryo grows into the asexual nurse form, and the life-history commences again.
Research Salpa
Siphonophora is an order of Hydrozoa. They are pelagic, colonial animals which show marked polymorphism.
Research Siphonophora
The striped dolphin or Euphrosyne dolphin or blue-white dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is a pelagic mammal of the family Delphinidae, order Cetacea widely distributed across all temperate, subtropical and tropical seas where they are often seen playing around boats. They may be distinguished from the common dolphin by a pale grey V-shaped should blaze originating above and behind the eye and narrowing to a point below and behind the dorsal fin.
Striped dolphins eat fish, squid and decapod crustaceans, hunting and navigating using echolocation. They are social animals, congregating in schools of between five and several hundred animals.
Research Striped Dolphin
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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