Oceanic Dolphins: Ridgway and Harrison's Handbook of Marine Mammals, Volume 2

Oceanic Dolphins: Ridgway and Harrison's Handbook of Marine Mammals, Volume Two in the Handbook of Marine Mammals series, focuses on dolphins, the remarkable marine mammals that live in our seas and oceans. For centuries, dolphins have fascinated humans with their intelligence and adaptability. As our understanding of marine mammals expands, there is a growing need for comprehensive references on their ecology and biology. This series, created to meet this need, provides definitive reviews of all living species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea cows, and marine otters and bears.

This volume features chapters written by leading global experts on offshore and oceanic dolphin species. Each chapter includes detailed descriptions of the species, covering aspects such as distribution and abundance, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, reproduction, parasites and diseases, and the effects of human activities on these species.

• Provides in-depth reviews of Stenella dolphin species, common dolphins, killer whales, pilot whales, and other dolphins found in more offshore waters
• 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, plus distribution maps

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 1995 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. He is also working on other projects looking at the systematics and ecology of these species throughout their ranges. In addition, he is 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.). He has published over 200 books and papers on these animals.

San Diego, California, USA