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Kingdom: Eukarya
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is in this kingdom because it is
multicellular, has a nucleus, there are membrane-bound organelles, has a
cell membrane, and has linear DNA.
Domain: Animalia
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is in this domain because it s a
heterotrophic organism, moves around, has no cell walls, and acquires
nutrients by ingestion.
Phylum: Chordata
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is in this phylum because it has a
dorsal nerve chord, has bilateral symmetry, has an endostyle, has a
notochord, and has a postanal tail.
Class: Mammalia
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is in this class because it breathes
air with lungs, is warm-blooded, gives
birth
to live young, and produces
milk (in mammary glands) for feeding its young.
Order: Cetacea
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is in this order because it lives its
entire life in
water, has blubber, is a very fast swimmer, and has a
large brain.
Family: Delphinidae
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is in this family because it lives in
salt water, has a torpedo shaped body, has a strong and muscular tail,
breathes through a blowhole, and uses
echolocation
to locate things in
the water.
Genus: Stenella
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is one of five species within this
genus. Common names for this genus are "spotted" and "bridled"
dolphins. These organisms love temperate and tropical waters. The
Latin word "Stenella" is derived from Stenos
meaning narrow. This refers to their rostrums (the snout-like
projections coming from their head/ the snouts).
Species: Stenella frontalis
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is this species because adults
have spots (and the young are born spotless). They are fast swimmers
who are
friendly, love to do acrobatics, and love to swim along side
boats. The Latin word "frontalis" is derived from the Latin word for
forehead. This references the well-developed melon which holds the
brain (which is also well developed).
Go back home
Find out where it
fits with other
dolphins
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