Commerson s Dolphin vs painted ray

Cephalorhynchus commersonii compared with Raja microocellata

Key Differences

• Commerson s Dolphin is Least Concern while painted ray is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Commerson s Dolphin	painted ray
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Rajiformes (Rajiformes)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Rajidae
Genus	Cephalorhynchus	Raja
Species	Cephalorhynchus commersonii	Raja microocellata

Evolutionary Relationship

Commerson s Dolphin and painted ray share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Commerson s Dolphin

LC — Least Concern

painted ray

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Commerson s Dolphin	painted ray
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Commerson s Dolphin

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

painted ray

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium and Denmark. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.