the la plata dolphin is the only species in its genus and is often placed in its own family, the pontoporiidae. it was first described by paul gervais and alcide d'orbigny in 1844 (the species epithet "blainvillei" commemorates the french zoologist henri marie ducrotay de blainville). the la plata dolphin is also widely known as the "franciscana" - the argentine and uruguay a name that has been adopted internationally. other common names are the "toninha" (the brazilian name) and "cachimbo".