Gervais' Beaked Whale
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Gervais' Beaked Whale | status = Conservation status: Unknown | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Mammalia | ordo = Cetacea | subordo = Odontoceti | familia = Ziphidae | genus = Mesoplodon | species = M. europaeus | binomial = Mesoplodon europaeus | binomial_authority = Gervais, 1855 }}
Gervais' Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon europaeus), sometimes known as the Antillian Beaked Whale, Gulf Steam Beaked Whale, or European Beaked Whale (hence the scientific name), is remarkable for not having been seen alive as of 2002. This is more amazing given that it is the most frequently stranding Mesoplodont whale off the coast of North America. It has also stranded off South America and Africa.
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Physical Description
This species is rather gracile, elongated, and laterally compressed compared with other mesoplodonts. The mouthline is remarkably straight, even in males, and the two teeth of the male erupt towards the tip of the beak, and are hardly noticeable. The head is overall small and tapering in outline. The melon only bulges very slightly. The coloration is dark gray on top and lighter gray on bottom. Females sometimes have lighter spots near the genitals and face, with a dark circle remaining around the eyes. Juveniles start off with a lighter coloration, but soon darken. Males are 4.5 meters (15') in length and females are at least 5.2 meters (17') and probably weigh more than 1200 kg (2600 pounds). Calves are believed to be 2.1 meters (7 feet) in length. One beached specimen may have been 48 years old.
Population and Distribution
The whale originally beached in England, but has since been found off Ireland, the Canary Islands, Western Africa, and Ascention Island. In August 2001, a specimen was found off Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is the southernmost the whale has been found to date. The population is believed to be naturally rare, and no estimates have been attempted.
Behavior
Judging by beachings, the whales inhabit small groups. They probably feed on squid.
Conservation
The species has not been hunted and only very infrequently gets tangled up in fishing nets.
References
- 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
- A Gervais' beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) washed ashore in southeastern Brazil: extra limital record? Santos, Zampirolli, Castro, and Alarenga. Aquatic Mammals 2003. 29.3, 404-410. Available: here