Dolphin-whale Mix Born In Hawaii

[Luna Manar]

Granted, the title is misleading, as false killer whales are actually just a very large type of dolphin. but still, I didn't know dolphin species could interbreed like this.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/247...005-476377.html

Whale-Dolphin Hybrid Has Baby Wholphin
By JEANNETTE J. LEE
The Associated Press

HONOLULU - The only whale-dolphin mix in captivity has given birth to a playful female calf, officials at Sea Life Park Hawaii said Thursday.

The calf was born on Dec. 23 to Kekaimalu, a mix of a false killer whale and an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Park officials said they waited to announce the birth until now because of recent changes in ownership and operations at the park.

The young as-yet unnamed wholphin is one-fourth false killer whale and three-fourths Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Her slick skin is an even blend of a dolphin's light gray and the black coloring of a false killer whale.

The calf still depends fully on her mother's milk, but sometimes snatches frozen capelin from the hands of trainers, then toys with the sardine-like fish.

She is jumbo-sized compared to purebred dolphins, and is already the size of a one-year-old bottlenose.

"Mother and calf are doing very well," said Dr. Renato Lenzi, general manager of Sea Life Park by Dolphin Discovery. "We are monitoring them very closely to ensure the best care for them."

Although false killer whales and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are different species, they are classified within the same family by scientists.

"They are not that far apart in terms of taxonomy," said Louis Herman, a leading expert in the study of marine mammals.

There have been reports of wholphins in the wild, he said.

Kekaimalu, whose name means "from the peaceful ocean," was born 19 years ago after a surprise coupling between a 14-foot, 2,000-pound false killer whale and a 6-foot, 400-pound dolphin. The animals were the leads in the park's popular tourist water show, featured in the Adam Sandler movie "50 First Dates."

Kekaimalu has given birth to two other calves. One lived for nine years and the other, born when Kekaimalu was very young, died a few days after birth.

Park researchers suspect the wholphin's father is an 8-foot long Atlantic bottlenose dolphin named Mikioi.

"He seems to be totally oblivious to this happening," Lenzi said.

False killer whales do not closely resemble killer whales. They grow to 20 feet, weigh up to two tons and have a tapering, rounded snout that overhangs their toothed jaw.

Atlantic bottlenose dolphins reach a maximum size of 12 feet and can weigh up to 700 pounds.

Sea Life Park officials said they hope to decide on a name for the baby wholphin soon and move her to a large display tank in a few months.

[Jay]

That is interesting. Although animals of 2 different species can interbreed, the result should produce offspring that cannot breed. That is one of the criteria for a "species". So either these are actually subspecies, or the criteria for "species" needs to change.

[phantom]

The criteria for identifying a species is confusing right now. Technically, if two animals can produce offspring who can then reproduce, that defines a species. We have seen ligers and tigons have offspring even though they were supposed to be sterile. Under that definiation, a tiger and a lion is the same species. Go figure.

This wolphin is very interesting. I was unaware such an animal existed. See what other cross-breed we here about next. The elephant and hyrax are closely related phylogenetically. Might we soon see an hyalphant or elephax?

[Luna Manar]

I've always wondered if a chihuaua and a great dane could really reproduce, myself...technically, they are both dogs. But the size difference...

I would think that size would be as much a factor as genetics in whether or not two animals can reproduce.

[fern]

I have a cross between a sydney silkie and a border collie, which is a fairly large size difference. We reckon he must have caught her on the stairs or been on his knees to suceed. It is the old tale of where there is a will there is a way. And years ago I minded a friends dog which was a cross between a corgi and a collie. Very weird shape that one. Collie size body on corgi length legs. You know, the long and low look.

[okapi_07]

I'm sure any dog cross breeding is possible, but in extreme cases (yorkie/great dane ) AI would probably be necessary.

There are many cases of two species from the same genus (or even family in some cases), but not species, producing offspring with reproductive capabilities (mainly female offspring I believe though). This happens EXTREMELY commonly with aquarium fish, especially livebearers and cichlids. I don't really want to experiment with my hybrid cichlid fry, but it would be interesting to see if they have the ability to reproduce. So, I think the definition of species could use some revision

This is an interesting event

[Capt.Rutlinger]

I've never heard about wholphins before and know I just wonder how they look like.

[Luna Manar]

[phantom]

Great pic Luna! You can clearly see the mix of traits. Look at the jaw alone. Upper jaw short and rounded like the orca but the lower jaw is elongated like the dolphin. Very unique. Also the skin is much darker like the orca. Interesting animal. hope it does well.