Commerson s Dolphin vs Downy Emerald

Cephalorhynchus commersonii compared with Cordulia aenea

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Commerson s Dolphin	Downy Emerald
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Odonata (Odonata)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Corduliidae
Genus	Cephalorhynchus	Cordulia
Species	Cephalorhynchus commersonii	Cordulia aenea

Evolutionary Relationship

Commerson s Dolphin and Downy Emerald share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Commerson s Dolphin

LC — Least Concern

Downy Emerald

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Commerson s Dolphin	Downy Emerald
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Commerson s Dolphin

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Downy Emerald

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden.

Commerson s Dolphin

<em>Cephalorhynchus commersonii</em>, commonly known as Commerson's Dolphin, is a small cetacean in the family Delphinidae. This species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is notable for its striking black-and-white coloration, which makes it one of the most visually distinctive dolphin species. Commerson's Dolphins typically inhabit coastal and nearshore marine environments of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around the Falkland Islands, the southern tip of South America, and a geographically isolated population near the Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean. These dolphins are highly social animals, often observed in small groups engaging in acrobatic behaviors near the surface. They typically feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans, often hunting cooperatively in shallow waters and kelp beds. Their average lifespan is approximately 18 years, and they are known for their fast, energetic swimming. Commerson's Dolphins are sometimes caught as bycatch in fishing nets, posing a localized conservation concern despite their overall Least Concern status.

Downy Emerald

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.