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The Clymene
dolphin is externally similar to the spinner dolphin,
but is smaller and more robust, with a much shorter
and stockier beak. The dorsal fin is falcate, as opposed
to the more triangular fins of spinners. Despite the
general similarities with the spinner dolphin, skull
morphology indicates that the Clymene dolphin may be
more closely related to the striped dolphin.
A three-part color pattern, with a dark gray cape,
light gray sides, and white belly, is characteristic
of this species. The cape dips in two places, above
the eye and below the dorsal fin. The beak is mostly
light gray, but the lips and beak tip are black. There
is also a dark stripe on the top of the beak, from
the tip to the apex of the melon, and often a dark
"moustache" marking on the middle of the
top of the beak. The eye is also surrounded by black,
and a dark gray stripe runs from the eye to the flipper.
Tooth counts are much lower than in spinners 39-52
teeth per row. They are slender and pointed.
Clymene dolphins are known to reach at least 1.97
m (males) and 1.90 m (females) in length, and sexual
maturity is reached by about 1.7-1.8 m. Newborn length
is unknown, but is less than 1.2 m. This species reaches
weights of at least 80 kg. |
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