1981

Evans and Yablokov (1978) proposed a method for analyzing differences in the color pattern of killer whales (Orcinus orca). This species' rather complex pattern was divided into several distinct components. Using schemes similar to those proposed by Yablokov (1969), Mitchell (1970), Perrin (1972) and Evans (1975), each component was identified by a descriptive name associated with its anatomical location, e.g. post-dorsal fin saddle, flank field, post-ocular, etc. The observed variants of each component were compiled from illustrations in the literature, photographs taken in the field during various research cruises, and by examination, of live specimens at Sea World, San Diego, California, Orlando, Florida and at several other oceanaria in the United States and Canada