scholarly journals Speciation in the deep: genomics and morphology reveal a new species of beaked whale Mesoplodon eueu

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1961) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma L. Carroll ◽  
Michael R. McGowen ◽  
Morgan L. McCarthy ◽  
Felix G. Marx ◽  
Natacha Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
The North ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Morphometric Analyses ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Archival Specimens

The deep sea has been described as the last major ecological frontier, as much of its biodiversity is yet to be discovered and described. Beaked whales (ziphiids) are among the most visible inhabitants of the deep sea, due to their large size and worldwide distribution, and their taxonomic diversity and much about their natural history remain poorly understood. We combine genomic and morphometric analyses to reveal a new Southern Hemisphere ziphiid species, Ramari's beaked whale, Mesoplodon eueu , whose name is linked to the Indigenous peoples of the lands from which the species holotype and paratypes were recovered. Mitogenome and ddRAD-derived phylogenies demonstrate reciprocally monophyletic divergence between M. eueu and True's beaked whale ( M. mirus ) from the North Atlantic, with which it was previously subsumed. Morphometric analyses of skulls also distinguish the two species. A time-calibrated mitogenome phylogeny and analysis of two nuclear genomes indicate divergence began circa 2 million years ago (Ma), with geneflow ceasing 0.35–0.55 Ma. This is an example of how deep sea biodiversity can be unravelled through increasing international collaboration and genome sequencing of archival specimens. Our consultation and involvement with Indigenous peoples offers a model for broadening the cultural scope of the scientific naming process.

Two live sightings of Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) from the western Mediterranean (Tyrrhenian Sea)

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Bittau ◽  
Mattia Leone ◽  
Adrien Gannier ◽  
Alexandre Gannier ◽  
Renata Manconi
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
The North ◽  
Western Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
The Mediterranean

Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) was previously known in the Mediterranean Sea from a single live stranding of two individuals in the French Riviera. We report here on two live sightings in the western Mediterranean, central-western Tyrrhenian Sea off eastern Corsica (Montecristo Trough) and off eastern Sardinia (Caprera Canyon) in 2010 and 2012, respectively. In both cases single individuals, possibly the same individual, occurred within groups of Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) suggesting inter-specific interactions. Based on our close observations of mixed-species groups of Sowerby's and Cuvier's beaked whales, we hypothesize that some previous long-distance sightings of beaked whales in the Mediterranean may not be reliably attributed to Z. cavirostris. The present sightings and previous live stranding indicate that the western Mediterranean Sea is the easternmost marginal area of M. bidens within the North Atlantic geographic range. Notes on behaviour are also provided.

scholarly journals True´s beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus) in Macaronesia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natacha Aguilar de Soto ◽  
Vidal Martín ◽  
Monica Silva ◽  
Roland Edler ◽  
Cristel Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canary Islands ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Gene Markers ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
The North ◽  
Tasman Sea ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
The North Atlantic

The True´s beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus, True 1913) is a poorly studied member of the speciose Ziphiidae family. Its distribution in the North Hemisphere is thought to be restricted to the temperate or warm temperate waters of the North Atlantic, while a small number of stranding records from the Southern Hemisphere suggest a wider distribution, extending from the Atlantic coast of Brazil to South Africa, Australia and the Tasman Sea coast of New Zealand. Here we i) report the first molecular confirmation of the occurrence of True´s beaked whales around the Azores and Canary Islands (Macaronesian ecoregion), the species’ southern limit in the northeast Atlantic; ii) describe a new colouration for this species; and iii) contribute to the sparse worldwide database of live sightings, including the first underwater video, of this species. In November 2012, a 390 cm male True’s beaked whale stranded in El Hierro, Canary Islands. In July 2004, a subadult male True’s beaked whale was found floating dead near Faial, Azores. Species identification was confirmed in both cases using mitochondrial DNA control region and cytochrome b gene markers. The whale that stranded in the Canary Islands had a clearly delimited white area on its head, extending posteriorly from the tip of the beak to cover the blowhole dorsally and the gular grooves ventrally. This colouration contrasts with previous descriptions for the species and it may be rare, but it demonstrates that True´s beaked whales show variable colourations in the North Atlantic. This is confirmed by sightings data. Given the presence of this species around the Azores and the Canary Islands, it would be expected that True´s beaked whales also occur in the area between these archipelagos, including the islands of Madeira.

scholarly journals True´s beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus) in Macaronesia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natacha Aguilar de Soto ◽  
Vidal Martín ◽  
Monica Silva ◽  
Roland Edler ◽  
Cristel Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canary Islands ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Gene Markers ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
The North ◽  
Tasman Sea ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
The North Atlantic

The True´s beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus, True 1913) is a poorly studied member of the speciose Ziphiidae family. Its distribution in the North Hemisphere is thought to be restricted to the temperate or warm temperate waters of the North Atlantic, while a small number of stranding records from the Southern Hemisphere suggest a wider distribution, extending from the Atlantic coast of Brazil to South Africa, Australia and the Tasman Sea coast of New Zealand. Here we i) report the first molecular confirmation of the occurrence of True´s beaked whales around the Azores and Canary Islands (Macaronesian ecoregion), the species’ southern limit in the northeast Atlantic; ii) describe a new colouration for this species; and iii) contribute to the sparse worldwide database of live sightings, including the first underwater video, of this species. In November 2012, a 390 cm male True’s beaked whale stranded in El Hierro, Canary Islands. In July 2004, a subadult male True’s beaked whale was found floating dead near Faial, Azores. Species identification was confirmed in both cases using mitochondrial DNA control region and cytochrome b gene markers. The whale that stranded in the Canary Islands had a clearly delimited white area on its head, extending posteriorly from the tip of the beak to cover the blowhole dorsally and the gular grooves ventrally. This colouration contrasts with previous descriptions for the species and it may be rare, but it demonstrates that True´s beaked whales show variable colourations in the North Atlantic. This is confirmed by sightings data. Given the presence of this species around the Azores and the Canary Islands, it would be expected that True´s beaked whales also occur in the area between these archipelagos, including the islands of Madeira.

scholarly journals VI. On some foraminifera from the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, including Davis Straits and Baffin's Bay

1865 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 325-441 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The North ◽  
Large Size ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
North Latitude ◽  
At Home

1. From Baffin’s Bay, between 76° 30' and 74° 45' North Latitude. These specimens are derived from seven deep-sea soundings made during one of the Arctic Expeditions under Sir Edward Parry. These soundings were confided to us by Professor Huxley, of the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street, to which Institution they had been given in April 1853 by Mr. J. W. Lowry, who received them of Mr. Fisher, Assistant-Surgeon in the Expedition alluded to. The Foraminifera obtained by us from these soundings are tabulated in Tables I., IV., and VII. This material from the “Arctic Province” of Naturalists is but scanty. None of the Foraminifera here obtained are numerous, except Polystomella striatopunctata , Nonionina Scwpha , Truncatulina lobatu , and Cassidulina lœvigata ; the first two of which are at home in Arctic waters : and none have attained here a large size except lituolœ . The material from 150 fathoms yielded these relatively large and numerous specimens.

Three sightings of Mesoplodon species in the Bay of Biscay: first confirmed True's beaked whales (M. mirus) for the north-east Atlantic?

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 1095-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline R. Weir ◽  
Jonathan Stokes ◽  
Clive Martin ◽  
Pablo Cermeño
Keyword(s):  
Water Depth ◽  
Bay Of Biscay ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
East Atlantic ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Beaked Whales

Three sightings of Mesoplodon beaked whales are reported from the Bay of Biscay, north-east Atlantic. All sightings comprised one or two animals, breaching repeatedly in proximity to the survey vessel, and occurred at between 2200 and 4100 m water depth. Descriptive and photographic data are compared with published accounts of Mesoplodon species in the north-east Atlantic, and the identification of the animals as True's beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus) concurs with all observed features. Within the north-east Atlantic, True's beaked whale is the only Mesoplodon species that could produce the single, closely-spaced parallel-paired scar observed on one animal. Our observations are consistent with the first live sightings of True's beaked whale in the Bay of Biscay, and only the second documented record worldwide.

scholarly journals No deep diving: evidence of predation on epipelagic fish for a stem beaked whale from the Late Miocene of Peru

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1815) ◽  
pp. 20151530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Lambert ◽  
Alberto Collareta ◽  
Walter Landini ◽  
Klaas Post ◽  
Benjamin Ramassamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Late Miocene ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Pacific Sardine ◽  
Fish Remains

Although modern beaked whales (Ziphiidae) are known to be highly specialized toothed whales that predominantly feed at great depths upon benthic and benthopelagic prey, only limited palaeontological data document this major ecological shift. We report on a ziphiid–fish assemblage from the Late Miocene of Peru that we interpret as the first direct evidence of a predator–prey relationship between a ziphiid and epipelagic fish. Preserved in a dolomite concretion, a skeleton of the stem ziphiid Messapicetus gregarius was discovered together with numerous skeletons of a clupeiform fish closely related to the epipelagic extant Pacific sardine ( Sardinops sagax ). Based on the position of fish individuals along the head and chest regions of the ziphiid, the lack of digestion marks on fish remains and the homogeneous size of individuals, we propose that this assemblage results from the death of the whale (possibly via toxin poisoning) shortly after the capture of prey from a single school. Together with morphological data and the frequent discovery of fossil crown ziphiids in deep-sea deposits, this exceptional record supports the hypothesis that only more derived ziphiids were regular deep divers and that the extinction of epipelagic forms may coincide with the radiation of true dolphins.

scholarly journals Supernumerary teeth observed in a live True’s beaked whale in the Bay of Biscay

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7809
Author(s):  
James R. Robbins ◽  
Travis Park ◽  
Ellen J. Coombs
Keyword(s):  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Bay Of Biscay ◽  
Supernumerary Teeth ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
East Atlantic ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Passenger Ferry

Mesoplodont beaked whales are one of the most enigmatic mammalian genera. We document a pod of four beaked whales in the Bay of Biscay breaching and tail slapping alongside a large passenger ferry. Photographs of the animals were independently reviewed by experts, and identified as True’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon mirus). This is the first conclusive live sighting of these animals in the north-east Atlantic, and adds information to previous sightings that are likely to have been M. mirus. Photographs of an adult male appears to show two supernumerary teeth posterior to the apical mandibular tusks. Whilst analysed museum specimens (n = 8) did not show evidence of alveoli in this location, there is evidence of vestigial teeth and variable dentition in many beaked whale species. This is the first such record of supernumerary teeth in True’s beaked whales.

Strandings of Beaked Whales (Ziphiidae) in Galicia (NW Spain) between 1990 and 2013

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 925-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Covelo ◽  
Jose A. Martínez-Cedeira ◽  
Ángela Llavona ◽  
Juan I. Díaz ◽  
Alfredo López
Keyword(s):  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Nw Spain ◽  
The North ◽  
The Family ◽  
Previous Decade ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Oceanic Species ◽  
Occurrence Patterns ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Number Of Individuals

In the coast of Galicia an average of 200 stranded cetaceans are reported annually. From 1990 to 2013, 21 individuals of four species of the family Ziphiidae were found: 15 Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), two Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens), one True's beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus) and one Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), as well as two unidentified ones. These were the first records in Galicia for True's beaked whale and Blainville's beaked whale. The study of the distribution of oceanic species considering only stranded animals has limitations, but is a good approach to this not well-known cetacean family. Due to the small number of individuals of the different species, statistical analyses for geographic or seasonal patterns were only carried out for the Cuvier's beaked whales. Between the periods of 1990–2002 and 2003–2013 significant differences were found for geographic and seasonal occurrence patterns. Over the last decade strandings were located only in the north area of the region, mainly during the spring season, while in the previous decade they were located along the three considered areas and only in autumn and winter.

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