Vertebrates: Marine Mammals
Marine mammals are one of the signature research themes for paleontology at the University of Otago. A particular passion of the late Professor Ewan Fordyce, the discovery of ancient whales and dolphins by Ewan and his research team across the South Island of Aotearoa has changed the global understanding of cetacean evolution. These discoveries are also responsible for much of the international recognition that led to establishing the UNESCO Waitaki Whitestone Global Geopark.
Cetaceans are an important part of the fauna of Aotearoa New Zealand today. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are taoka species with special cultural significance. In this section we introduce several of the ancient whale and dolphin species that have been described by Ewan and his students, revealing the long association between cetaceans and Zealandia.
A mammal that is dependent on offshore marine environments for finding food.
Any species within Cetacea, however, generally reserved for larger species.
A smaller species within Cetacea, and one that has teeth. The precise taxonomic definition for dolphin is any species within Delphinidae, Platanistidae, Iniidae, Pontoporiidae and Lipotidae. However, dolphin is also used for close extinct relatives of living dolphins that are not included in these families.
Geographical areas with geology of outstanding societal value, which are community owned and open to everyone. See: UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme.
A group of marine mammals with around 90 living species across two key clades, Mysticeti (baleen whales) and Odontoceti (toothed whales, including dolphins and porpoises). The fossils of many extinct species of cetacean have been discovered.
The animals of a particular geographic region (e.g. the fauna of New Zealand), environment (e.g. the marine fauna) or geological period (e.g. the Oligocene fauna).
Te reo Māori term originating with Kāi Tahu meaning treasured. The term taonga in te reo Māori is also used for treasured.
The mostly submerged continent of which New Zealand and New Caledonia are a part.
