black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms: Delphinus delphis ponticus Barabasch-Nikiforov, 1935
Common names: Engl: Common dolphin; Bulg: Obiknoven delfin, Karakas; Rom:
Delfin comun; Russ: Belobochka chernomorskaya, Obyknovenny deVfin Turk: Tirtak;
Ukr: Bilobochka chornomors'ka
Order CETACEA
Family DELPHINIDAE
Taxonomic description. One of two extant Delphinidae and single representative of
the genus in the Black Sea cetacean fauna. The Black Sea common dolphin is
distinguished by some as an endemic sub-species, D. delphis ponticus, but more
taxonomic studies are needed before this view can be confirmed or rejected.
According to recent studies, the genus Delphinus includes two species, the long-
beaked and short-beaked common dolphins. It is possible that the Black Sea
population belongs to the short-beaked species. External distinctions: prominent beak
with numerous small, conical teeth; tall, falcate dorsal fin; hourglass-like pattern
(complex composition of grey, white, black and yellowish stripes and areas) on both
sides of the body.
IUCN Status
World level: DD
Black Sea Régional level: DD
Subregion level: VU in Bulgaria, DD in Ukraine, EN in Romania
Distribution, Habitat type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors. D. delphis
predominantly lives offshore, but visits coastal waters following the seasonal
aggregations and mass migrations of small pelagic fish. Common dolphins have
never been recorded in the Sea of Azov although, they are observed occasionally in
the Kerch Strait as well as in the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, where they are
quite common except in December and January. Cross-relations including exchange
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