delphinus

Delphinus is a genus of oceanic dolphins in the family Delphinidae. It comprises two extant species: Delphinus delphis, the short-beaked common dolphin, and Delphinus capensis, the long-beaked common dolphin. Members of the genus are characterized by a slender body, a relatively long beak in D. capensis, and a distinctive hourglass-shaped pale patch along the sides that forms a light band when viewed from the side.

Distribution and ecology: Delphinus species are widely distributed in warm temperate and tropical seas, often occurring offshore but also found near coastlines. They are highly social and commonly form large pods, moving rapidly through the water. Their diet consists mainly of small schooling fish and cephalopods, and they frequently engage in cooperative hunting and energetic surface behaviors such as bow riding and breaching.

Conservation: Globally, both species are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though regional populations may face threats from bycatch, fishing gear entanglement, pollution, and habitat degradation. Conservation measures include bycatch mitigation, marine protected areas, and sustainable fisheries management.

Name and other uses: The name Delphinus originates from Latin for “dolphin.” Delphinus is also the name of a small constellation in the northern sky, named after the dolphin; its brightest stars are Alpha Delphini (Sualocin) and Beta Delphini (Rotanev). The genus has appeared in various cultural and scientific contexts as a representative dolphin species.