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Taxa

Inia

Mammal Genera

Inia is a genus of river dolphin, family Iniidae, containing one species, Inia geoffrensis, the Amazon river dolphin, with three recognized subspecies, the Amazon, Bolivian and Orinoco river dolphins, plus a proposed further species, the Araguaian river dolphin, of unclear taxonomic status. The genus is endemic to South America, inhabiting the Amazon basin, the upper Madeira River in Bolivia and the Orinoco basin across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. It is the largest species of river dolphin, with adult males reaching up to 2.5 meters and 185 kilograms, and adults acquire a pink color, more pronounced in males, earning the nickname pink river dolphin.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Genus 3
Scientific Name
Inia d'Orbigny, 1834 3
Geographic Distribution
Present in six South American countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, across about 7 million square kilometres 1
Defining Characteristics
Adult males reach a maximum length of 2.55 m (8.4 ft) and weight of 185 kg (408 lb) 1
Member Count Band
Under 10 Species 4
Era First Appeared
Neogene 5
Partially Attested
Member Species/Taxa Count
1 3
The American Society of Mammalogists instead recognizes up to four species in the genus; taxonomic status is disputed among authorities, per the same article's Taxonomy section
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Adults acquire a pink color, more prominent in males, giving the nickname pink river dolphin 1
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
In the Other Atlases

Found In

South America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Amazon River Dolphin (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Distribution and population section
    They are present in six countries in South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, in an area covering about 7 million square kilometres (2.7 million square miles).
  • Description section, size sentence
    Adult males reach a maximum length and weight of 2.55 metres (8.4 ft) (average 2.32 metres (7.6 ft)) and 185 kilograms (408 lb).
  • Description section, color sentence
    Adults acquire a pink color, more prominent in males, giving it its nickname "pink river dolphin".
View the Source
2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ2896224, descriptionView the Source
3. Inia - Wikipedia
  • Taxonomy section
    D'Orbigny also described Inia boliviensis as type species of the genus.
  • Infobox: type_species_authority
    d'Orbigny, 1834
  • Taxonomy section, SMM classification sentence
    As of 2016 the Committee on Taxonomy of the Society for Marine Mammalogy considers the genus Inia to contain one species with only two subspecies
View the Source
4. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Inia
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
Quote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 1
View the Source
5. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Inia
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Inia" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 11.63 ... "early_interval": "Tortonian"
View the Source
Wikidata: Inia
Wikidata Q2896224, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
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