Andrews' Beaked Whale

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Andrews' Beaked Whale Conservation status: Data deficient
Size comparison against an average human
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Suborder: Odontoceti Family: Ziphidae Genus: Mesoplodon Species: M. bowdoini
Binomial name
Mesoplodon bowdoini Andrews, 1908
Andrew's Beaked Whale range

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. The specific name bowdoini is in reference to George S. Bowdoin, a donor to the American Museum of Natural History. This species is noteworthy for not having yet been observed in the wild as of 2002.

[edit] Physical Description

The body of Andrews' is rather robust in comparison with other members of the genus. The melon on the whale is rather low, and the beak is short and thick. The lower jaw is fairly peculiar in that halfway through it rises up significantly with the teeth extending over the rostrum (or "beak"). The head also sometimes has a light patch on the sides, more prominent in the males. Males, overall dark gray to black, have a lighter "saddle" marking in between the blowhole and dorsal fin on their backs. Males also carry scars typical of the genus. Females are slate gray with greyish-white flanks and belly. Cookie cutter shark bites are present in both genders. Females are believed to reach at least 4.9 meters (16 feet) and males 4.5 meters (15 feet). The young are believed to be around 2.2 meters long (7 feet) when born.

[edit] Behavior

The calving season may be during spring and summer off New Zealand, otherwise any behavior is completely unknown.

[edit] Population and Distribution

The species lives in the Southern Hemisphere, and it's precise range is uncertain. 35 stranded specimens have been recorded in Australia and New Zealand, Macquarie Island, the Falkland Islands, and Tristan da Cunha. That range may imply a circumpolar distribution. However, there are no confirmed sightings to back this up.

[edit] Conservation

This species has never been hunted and there are no records of it being caught in fish nets.

[edit] References

Cetaceans Portal

• Cetacean Specialist Group (1996). Mesoplodon bowdoini. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
• Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Edited by William F. Perrin, Bernd Wursig, and J.G.M Thewissen. Academic Press, 2002. ISBN 0-12-551340-2
• Sea Mammals of the World. Written by Randall R. Reeves, Brent S. Steward, Phillip J. Clapham, and James A. Owell. A & C Black, London, 2002. ISBN 0-7136-6334-0

[edit] External links

• Factsheets
• Cetaceans of the World
• CMS