Blind River Dolphin: First Side-Swimming Cetacean

Authors

Earl S. Herald, Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Robert L. Brownell Jr., Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, San FranciscoFollow
Fredric L. Frye, Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Elkan J. Morris, Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
William Evans, Naval Undersea Research and Development Center, San Diego, California 92132
Alan Scott, Institute of Medical Sciences, Pacific Medical Center, Sanl Francisco, California

Date of this Version

12-12-1969

Comments

Published in Science, New Series, Vol. 166, No. 3911 (Dec. 12, 1969), pp. 1408-1410.

Abstract

The blind river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), first written about by Pliny the Elder in A.D. 72, was found (10 November 1968) to be the first known side-swimming cetacean. The rudimentary eye lacks the lens, but anatomical evidence suggests that the eye may serve as a light sensor. The underwater sound emissions of this species, although similar to those of the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), appear to be produced constantly.