The mesoplodont whales are the fourteen species of whale that make up the genus Mesoplodon, making it the single largest genus in the cetacean order. Two species were discovered for the first time as recently as 1991 and 1995, and many marine biologists expect to discover more species in the future. This genus is traditionally characterized by the size and shape of the skull, in particular the distinctive curved beak shape at the jaw, shaped rather like a playground slide. Some other whale species share this property, and together they are known as the beaked whales. The word mesoplodon comes from the Greek meso- (middle) - hopla (arms) - odon (teeth), and may be translated as 'armed with a tooth in the centre of the jaw'. Jump to: navigation, search In biology, the most commonly used definition of species was first coined by Ernst Mayr. ... Jump to: navigation, search Whales are the largest species of exclusively aquatic placental mammals, members of the order Cetacea, which also includes dolphins and porpoises. ... Suborders Mysticeti Odontoceti (see text) The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. ... Scientific classification or biological classification refers to how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Marine biology is the study of animal and plant life within waterbound ecosystems. ... Genera Berardius Hyperoodon Indopacetus Mesoplodon Tasmacetus Ziphius A beaked whale is any of at least 20 species of small whale in the family Ziphiidae. ...

Species

English name (most common first), Latin name, known distribution:

• Sowerby's Beaked Whale M. bidens
• Andrews' Beaked Whale M. bowdoini
• Hubbs' Beaked Whale M. carlhubbsi
• Blainville's Beaked Whale M. densirostris
• Gervais' Beaked Whale M. europaeus
• Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale M. ginkgodens
• Gray's Beaked Whale M. grayi
• Hector's Beaked Whale M. hectori
• Layard's Beaked Whale M. layardii
• True's Beaked Whale M. mirus
• Perrin's Beaked Whale, M. perrini, eastern Pacific. First reported in 1997 from four sightings off the coast of California. Formally identified as a separate species by Dalebout et al in 2002. Previously the individuals had been thought to have been Hector's Beaked Whale.
• Pygmy Beaked Whale, Peruvian Beaked Whale, Lesser Beaked Whale, M. peruvianus, off west coast of South America
• Stejneger's Beaked Whale, Bering Sea Beaked Whale, M. stejnegeri, Cool to sub-Arctic Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea
• Spade-toothed Beaked Whale, M. traversii, tropical Eastern Pacific and New Zealand

Longman's Beaked Whale (also known as the Indo-Pacific Beaked Whale) is also sometimes classed in the Mesoplodon genus. However, most authorities follow the lead of Joesph Curtis Moore who in the 1960s put it in its own genus - the Indopacetus. Species See text The mesoplodont whales are the fourteen species of whale that make up the genus Mesoplodon, making it the single largest genus in the cetacean order. ... Jump to: navigation, search Binomial name Mesoplodon bowdoini Andrews, 1908 Andrews Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon bowdoini), sometimes known as the Deep-crest Beaked Whale or Splay Toothed Whale, is one of the most poorly known members of a poorly known genus. ... Jump to: navigation, search Binomial name Mesoplodon carlshubbi Sowerby, 1963 Hubbs Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon carlshubbi) was initially thought to be an Andrews Beaked Whale when discovered by icthyologist Carl Hubbs, however it was named in his honor when it was discovered to be a new species. ... Species See text The mesoplodont whales are the fourteen species of whale that make up the genus Mesoplodon, making it the single largest genus in the cetacean order. ... Species See text The mesoplodont whales are the fourteen species of whale that make up the genus Mesoplodon, making it the single largest genus in the cetacean order. ... Species See text The mesoplodont whales are the fourteen species of whale that make up the genus Mesoplodon, making it the single largest genus in the cetacean order. ... Jump to: navigation, search Binomial name Mesoplodon grayi von Haast, 1876 Grays Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon grayi), sometimes known as Haasts Beaked Whale or the Scamperdown Whale is one better known members of the genus Mesoplodon. ... Jump to: navigation, search Binomial name Mesoplodon hectori Gray, 1871 Hectors Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon hectori) is a small Mesoplodont living in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Species See text The mesoplodont whales are the fourteen species of whale that make up the genus Mesoplodon, making it the single largest genus in the cetacean order. ... Species See text The mesoplodont whales are the fourteen species of whale that make up the genus Mesoplodon, making it the single largest genus in the cetacean order. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Binomial name Indopacetus pacificus Longman, 1926 Longmans Beaked Whale range Longmans Beaked Whale, commonly also called the Indo-Pacific Beaked Whale either has the specific name Indopacetus pacificus or Mesoplodon pacificus, depending whether the animal is classified as a mesoplodont whale or not. ... Binomial name Indopacetus pacificus Longmans Beaked Whale range Longmans Beaked Whale, commonly also called the Indo-Pacific Beaked Whale either has the specific name Indopacetus pacificus or Mesoplodon pacificus, depending whether the animal is classified as a mesoplodont whale or not. ... Binomial name Indopacetus pacificus Longmans Beaked Whale range Longmans Beaked Whale, commonly also called the Indo-Pacific Beaked Whale either has the specific name Indopacetus pacificus or Mesoplodon pacificus, depending whether the animal is classified as a mesoplodont whale or not. ...

Physical description and behaviour

Physical data is scant for almost all species on account of the fact that mesoplodons live far out to sea. For instance, it is not known whether females are larger than males. From beached individuals we know that the whales are small, ranged from 4-6m in length and are typically about 1000-1500kg in weight.

Species typically have a small triangular dorsal fin about two-thirds to three-quarters along the back. Dorsal Fin of the Orca A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of fishes, whales, dolphins and porpoises. ...

Virtually nothing is known about mesoplodon behaviour as so few have been seen alive. Further, their range of behaviours at the surface appears limited to slow swimming. There is usually no surface blow and there have been no reports of a mesoplodon fluking (raising their tail fluke clear of the water on diving).

Longeveity, lactation and gestation data is non-existent.

Conservation

The mesoplodon species populations are unknown and consequently the species are generally omitted from Red Data Species lists. The main threat from humans is the accidental capture in drift nets.