Greek dolphin

Greek dolphin Mörzer Bruyns' painting of the Greek dolphin from life, from his Field Guide of Whales and Dolphins (1971). Classification Cetacea Proposed scientific names Other names Sea reported Mediterranean Sea First reported 1971 Prominent investigators • W. F. J. Mörzer Bruyns

The Greek dolphin was a cryptid cetacean reported from the Mediterranean Sea, known from several sightings reported by W. F. J. Mörzer Bruyns, who also reported the Alula whale, Illigan dolphin, and Senegal dolphin. It resembled both the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and the cryptic Senegal dolphin.

Description

The Greek dolphin closely resembled the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), a common Mediterranean dolphin, but lacked that species' distinctive black stripes. It was dirty white in colour, with "smoky brownish and grey smudges behind the dorsal fine," a white undersite, a brown dorsal area, and a white streak on its side. It was also smaller and more heavyset than a striped dolphin, "short [and] plump," with "a rather short and stout snout". It travelled in pods of up to fifty individuals, but more commonly just two to ten, and could hit speeds of up to fifteen knots.

Sightings

Mörzer Bruyns observed specimens of these dolphins in deep water of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, east of Sardinia. He also observed calves near Stromboli in January, and possible newborn calves in the same area in October, although the latter may have been striped dolphin calves.