vs Schwertwal

Coelosphaerium dubium compared with Orcinus orca

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Schwertwal is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Schwertwal
Kingdom	Bacteria (Bacteria)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum	Cyanobacteria (Cyanobakterien)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class	Cyanobacteriia	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Cyanobacteriales	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)
Family	Microcystaceae	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)
Genus	Coelosphaerium	Orcinus (Orcas)
Species	Coelosphaerium dubium	Orcinus orca

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Schwertwal

DD — Data Deficient

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Unknown ?

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Schwertwal
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	50 years
Average Length	—	8.0 m
Average Weight	—	5.4 t

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan.

Schwertwal

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

Coelosphaerium dubium is a colonial planktonic cyanobacterium in the family Merismopediaceae, named for the taxonomic uncertainty surrounding its morphological boundaries with related species in the genus. Like its congeners, it forms spherical, gelatinous mucilaginous colonies in which cells are distributed at the periphery of a central hyaline matrix. The genus Coelosphaerium has historically been defined by gross morphological characteristics—colony shape, cell arrangement, and mucilage properties—but molecular phylogenetic analyses have substantially revised understanding of cyanobacterial diversity and systematics within this group. Coelosphaerium dubium has a relatively broad geographic distribution compared to some congeners, with records from freshwater bodies in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan, suggesting either a wide ecological tolerance or cryptic species diversity within the taxon. It inhabits lentic and slow-flowing freshwater environments, particularly stratified lakes and ponds where thermal and chemical gradients allow cyanobacterial cells equipped with gas vesicles to adjust their buoyancy and optimise light exposure. As a primary producer in these aquatic ecosystems, it contributes to nutrient cycling and forms part of the phytoplankton community grazed by zooplankton. No formal conservation assessment has been undertaken for this species by the IUCN.

Schwertwal

The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas reach up to 9 meters and 6 tonnes and are found in every ocean from Arctic to Antarctic. Apex predators living in matrilineal pods with distinct dialects, hunting strategies, and cultural traditions that differ between populations. Some populations specialize in fish, others in marine mammals. No natural predators; orcas sit at the top of every marine food chain they inhabit.