Dolphins, whales and porpoises (together called Cetacea), are among the few mammals that have permanently exchanged the terrestrial environment for life in the water. As such, they speak to the imagination of most people, and are interesting to scientists because they show some of the limits of modifications that the mammalian body can undergo. Dolphin development is poorly understood, because it is very hard to acquire dolphin embryos for study. Our collection of embryos and fetuses is unique, and compiling it into a digital library allows easy access to a wide audience, from interested laypeople to developmental biologists.

Our specimens are all individuals of the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata). This dolphin lives in the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, and reaches sizes of 2.1 m (7.1 feet) and 127 kg (280 lbs). Calves are approximately 80 cm (32 inches) when they are born, and the gestation time is approximately 11 months.

The DLDD represents one of the few developmental series available for any mammal on the WWW. The early stages of development in the Spotted Dolphin are relatively similar to those of any other mammal, including humans. In the later stages, development is more specific for cetaceans, and these embryos should not be taken as a model for generalized mammalian development. When completed, it will record the development of the Spotted Dolphin in great detail, and will make it possible to study the embryology of any organ.

We are excited about presenting this kind of original scientific data in an easy-access form to anyone from layperson to developmental biologist. If you are too or have comments, let us know.

Further Reading about Spotted Dolphins
Perrin, W. P., 2001. Pantropical Spotted Dolphin. In The Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (W. P. Perrin, B. Würsig, J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Academic Press.
Minasian, S.M., K.C. Balcomb, L. Foster. 1984. The World's Whales, the Complete Illustrated Guide. Smithsonian Institution Press.