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Orcinus orca, commonly known as the killer whale, is the largest member of the dolphin family. It’s notable for its intelligence, complex social behavior within tightly-knit pods, and role as an apex predator in marine ecosystems globally. Orcas are found in all oceans and are primarily studied by b...
The common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus is a highly intelligent marine mammal belonging to the Delphinidae family. Notably widespread across temperate and tropical coastal oceans, it’s a frequently studied species in behavioral research and conservation efforts. Scientists, researchers, and...
The spinner dolphin is a small to medium-sized oceanic dolphin known for its spectacular aerial displays involving rapid spins and rolls. This species exhibits complex social behaviors and is found in tropical and warm temperate waters globally. Spinner dolphins are frequently studied by marine biol...
Dicranurus monstrosus is a Devonian-era trilobite discovered in Morocco. This species is notable for its exceptionally elaborate and branched spines along its posterior margin, making it one of the most ornate trilobites ever found. The fossil provides valuable insight into the evolution of odontop...
The boto, or Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), is a unique freshwater cetacean inhabiting rivers across South America. Its distinctive pink coloration, caused by shallow blood vessels near the skin surface, sets it apart. As the largest river dolphin globally, the boto plays a crucial role in...
Isotelus maximus is a large asaphid trilobite species that lived during the Late Ordovician and is known from rocks in eastern North America. Its broad, flattened exoskeleton consists of a semicircular head, a segmented thorax, and a large tail shield, while some specimens exceed 70 centimeters in l...
The short-beaked common dolphin is a widely distributed oceanic dolphin belonging to the Delphinidae family. It’s notable for its distinctive blunt head and consistent social behavior, often traveling in large, dynamic pods. These dolphins are found across temperate and tropical waters globally and...
Drotops megalomanicus is a large phacopid trilobite from Lower Devonian marine deposits in Morocco. It is distinguished by a broad, strongly vaulted exoskeleton, prominent compound eyes, and a surface covered with conspicuous tubercles. Complete specimens can reach roughly 15 centimeters or more, ma...
Calymene blumenbachii is a species of trilobite from Silurian rocks, particularly the Wenlock Limestone around Dudley in the English West Midlands. Its compact, segmented exoskeleton could roll into a defensive ball, and abundant local fossils became popularly known as the Dudley Bug or Dudley Locus...
Orcinus orca, commonly known as the killer whale, represents the largest species within the delphinidae family – specifically, a type of dolphin. It’s notable for its status as an apex predator found worldwide and recognized by scientists since 1758. These intelligent marine mammals are characterize...
Terataspis grandis is a species of lichid trilobite from Devonian rocks in what is now New York State. It is known primarily from incomplete remains, including unusually large portions of the exoskeleton, so estimates of its full body length are necessarily uncertain. Reconstructions based on those...
The common bottlenose dolphin *Tursiops truncatus* is a highly intelligent marine mammal found globally in coastal waters. This species is notable for its social behavior and capacity for learning, frequently utilized in research examining animal cognition and training programs. It’s primarily studi...
Commerson’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) is a small oceanic dolphin found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. Its distinctive black and white pattern provides camouflage in coastal waters around South America and the Kerguelen Islands. This species is notable for its highly social behavio...
The dusky dolphin is a small, dark-colored oceanic dolphin found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere’s coastal and offshore waters. It's notable for its distinctive dark grey pigmentation and frequent acrobatic displays. This species is frequently observed by marine biologists and researchers study...
Dalmanites limulurus is an extinct species of trilobite from Silurian rocks in New York State, including the Rochester Shale. It belongs to Dalmanitidae, a family within the order Phacopida, and has the prominent eyes, segmented exoskeleton, and elongated terminal spine associated with its genus. It...
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is a widely distributed oceanic dolphin found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It’s notable for its varied coloration patterns, ranging from grey to brown, and exhibits complex social behaviors including cooperative hunting. This species is primarily stud...
The Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis is a small to medium-sized oceanic dolphin found in the western and mid-Atlantic Ocean. It’s notable for its distinctive pattern of white spots on a dark gray body, a trait unique among delphinidae species. These dolphins are frequently observed in soc...
Middle Cambrian trilobite widespread across Baltica and Avalonia, widely used as a biostratigraphic index fossil for the middle Cambrian Series 3.
The Hector’s dolphin Cephalorhynchus hectori is a small marine dolphin found exclusively in New Zealand's coastal waters. It is the smallest species of delphinidae and critically endangered due to threats like fishing gear entanglement. Conservation efforts focus on protecting this unique population...
Cassiope mertensiana, or western moss heath, is an alpine evergreen shrub native to western North America, notable for its mat-forming growth and solitary white bell flowers.
The Pacific white-sided dolphin, *Lagenorhynchus obliquidens*, is a small to medium-sized oceanic dolphin found in the North Pacific Ocean. It’s notable for its distinctive pale grey coloration and frequent acrobatic displays. These dolphins are highly social animals often observed in large groups....
Erica azorica is a tree heath native to the Azores archipelago, notable for its impressive height and white, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in spring.
Phyllodoce empetriformis, or pink mountain heath, is a dwarf shrub found in alpine regions of western North America, recognized by its bright pink, urn-shaped floral clusters.
The Encyclopedia of Life is a free online biodiversity reference, launched in 2008 to aggregate expert data on known species worldwide.
The Hourglass Dolphin, *Lagenorhynchus cruciger*, is a small, dark-colored dolphin found in cold Antarctic and subantarctic waters. Its distinctive pattern of pale markings resembling an hourglass creates easy identification. This species exhibits unique social behaviors and is frequently observed i...
Elrathia kingii is an extinct ptychopariid trilobite from the Middle Cambrian Wheeler Shale of western Utah. Its fossils are exceptionally abundant in parts of that formation, making it one of the most familiar and commercially collected North American trilobites. The species is recognized by its br...
Erica versicolor is a South African shrub in the Ericaceae family recognized by its exceptionally long, curved, tubular flowers that are typically bright red or pink.
Erica sessiliflora is a South African heath species notable for its stalkless, bright red flowers that grow directly against the plant's green stems.
Leonaspis tuberculata is an extinct species of trilobite belonging to the odontopleurid group, whose members are known for elaborate spines and strongly ornamented exoskeletons. It lived during the Devonian Period and is identified from fossilized portions of its segmented external skeleton. The spe...
Risso’s dolphin, *Grampus griseus*, is a deep-water dolphin distinguished by its slate grey skin and extensive scarring. This unique species primarily consumes squid and is notable for its solitary behavior and frequent dives to considerable depths. It's most commonly observed in temperate and subar...
