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 p.159 #8 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion | |
carstenw wrote:
Technically, yes, killer whales belong to the family of oceanic dolphins, but no one would ever say so outside of a biology conference  From Wikipedia:
"Six of the larger species in the Delphinidae, the Orca and the Pilot (long-finned and short-finned), Melon-headed, Pygmy Killer and False Killer Whales, are commonly called whales, rather than dolphins; they are also sometimes collectively known as "blackfish"."
I have never attended a biology conference.
Also from Wikipedia:
"English-speaking scientists most often use the term "killer whale",[12] although the term "orca" is increasingly used. Killer whale advocates point out it has a long heritage. Indeed, the genus name Orcinus means "of the kingdom of the dead",[12] or "belonging to Orcus".[13] Ancient Romans originally applied orca (plural orcae) to these animals, possibly borrowing it from the Greek ὄρυξ, which referred (among other things) to a whale species. Since the 1960s, orca has steadily grown in popularity; both names are now used. The term orca is preferred by some to avoid the negative connotations of "killer",[14] and because, being part of the family Delphinidae, the species is more closely related to other dolphins than to whales.[15]"
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Ah, that's right, I recall that your webpage has your name somewhere. Are you Dutch? 
