Used primarily for stability, where on a fish, whale, dolphin, or porpoise, do you find the dorsal fin?
Northern right whale dolphin Greek "lisso", smooth, and "delphis"; the specific epithet, "borealis", indicates the northern distribution. The common names for the species formerly included northern right whale porpoise, snake porpoise, and Pacific right whale porpoise. Both species in the genus are also referred to by the name right whale dolphin, a name derived from the right whales "Eubalaena", which also lack a dorsal fin. This dolphin has a streamlined body with a sloping forehead, being more slender than other delphinids, and lacks any fin or ridge on the smoothly curving back. The beak is short and well defined, a straight mouthline, and an
Southern right whale dolphin the oceanic dolphin family of cetaceans. The name of the genus was derived from Greek "lisso", smooth, and "delphis". The specific epithet "peronii" commemorates François Péron, who saw the species near Tasmania during an expedition in 1800. The common names for the species include southern right-whale dolphin and snake porpoise. Both species in the genus are also referred by the name "right whale dolphin", a name derived from the right whales ("Eubalaena") which also lack a dorsal fin. This delphinid was not targeted by whaling operations of the 19th century, although it was sometimes caught for meat. The species is