Taxonomy & Nomenclature
| Scientific Name |
Mesoplodon ginkgodens |
| Author |
Nishiwaki and Kamiya, 1958 |
| Taxonomic Rank |
Species |
| Taxonomic # |
180510 |
| Common Names |
English: ginkgo-toothed whale
English: Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale
Spanish: Ballena-picuda japonesa
|
| Current Standing |
valid |
| Taxonomic Parents |
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Cetacea
Suborder: Odontoceti
Family: Hyperoodontidae
Genus: Mesoplodon
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| Taxonomic Children |
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| Synonyms (since 1950) |
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Taxonomic data is courtesy of the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
See ITIS metadata in XML
Physical Description / Field Identification
Adult male ginkgo-toothed beaked whales are dark gray, with light spots; females are apparently lighter. Unlike most other beaked whales, they generally do not appear to be scarred. The throat grooves, dorsal fin, and tail flukes are typical for Mesoplodon species.
Bulls have flattened tusks that barely break the gumline, slightly behind the middle of the lower jaw; erupted teeth are absent in females. Maximum known sizes are 4.9 m (females) and 4.8 m (males). At birth, they are thought to be about 2-2.5 m.
Can be Confused With
The uniform dark pigmentation, small posteriorly-placed teeth, and lack of characteristic ziphiid scars may allow a tentative classification of adult male ginkgo-toothed beaked whales. Otherwise, this species will be virtually indistinguishable from other mesoplodonts.
Distribution
This species is known from widely scattered sightings, strandings, and collections (albeit sparse) in temperate and tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Ecology and Behavior
Almost nothing is known of the biology of the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale.
Feeding and Prey
Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales are presumed to be primarily squid eaters.
Threats and Status
This species has occasionally been taken by Japanese whalers. Currently, ginkgo-toothed beaked whales are ‘Data Deficient’ (IUCN) and ‘Not Listed’ (ESA).
Links
References
Dalebout, M.L. 2002. Species identity, genetic diversity, and molecular systematic relationships among the Ziphiidae (beaked whales). Ph.D. dissertation, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Mead, J.G. 1989. Beaked whales of the genus Mesoplodon. pp. 349-430 in S.H. Ridgway and R. Harrison, eds. Handbook of marine mammals, Vol. 4: River dolphins and the larger toothed whales. Academic Press.
Pitman, R.L. 2002. Mesoplodont whales Mesoplodon spp. pp. 738-742 in W.F. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds. Encyclopedia of marine mammals. Academic Press.
