Hubbs' Beaked Whale

Taxobox
name = Hubbs' Beaked Whale
status = DD

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image2_width = 250px
image2_caption = Size comparison against an average human
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Cetacea
subordo = Odontoceti
familia = Ziphidae
genus = "Mesoplodon"
species = "M. carlshubbi"
binomial = "Mesoplodon carlshubbi"
binomial_authority = Moore, 1963
range_

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range_map_caption = Hubb's Beaked Whale range

Hubbs' Beaked Whale ("Mesoplodon carlshubbi") was initially thought to be an Andrews' Beaked Whale when discovered by ichthyologist Carl Hubbs, however it was named in his honor when it was discovered to be a new species. This species has the typically bizarre dentition found in the genus, but its main outstanding features are a white "cap" on the head and very extensive scarring. The species is known from 31 strandings and one possible sighting.

Physical description

The body is fairly typical for a "Mesoplodon", except that it is more rotund in appearance and tapered at the ends in a sort of spindle shape. The beak is of moderate length, and the lower mandible almost arches over the rostrum, similar to the condition in a Blainville's Beaked Whale, but less extreme. The teeth are fairly large, sit on the apex of the jaw, and are slightly higher than the rostrum. After the teeth, the jaw slopes down to form an otherwise typical looking beak. The coloration in males is dark gray to black without countershading and has white patches on the beak, on the bulbous melon (a "beanie" cap), and have extensive scarring which also appears white. Females and juveniles are a lighter gray on top and countershade to white below, and sometimes have white on the beak as well. They reach a length of 5.4 meters (18 feet) and weigh 1500 kg (3300 lbs) for both males and females. They are around 2.5 meters (8 feet) long when born, the longest in proportion for any beaked whale: 46% of the mother's length.

Population and distribution

The whale lives in the North Pacific, in the East it is limited to Japan and on the West it ranges from British Columbia to California. They may live in the open ocean in between the two areas, but no observations have been made. Because of their presumed small range, they may be rare, but nothing is known for certain about their population.

Behavior

Little is known about their behavior due to the infrequency of sightings (only one known), they probably travel in small groups like the other species. Due to the extreme amount of scars present on adult males, there probably is more male competition compared with other members of the genus. They are believed to feed on squid.

Conservation

The species has been occasionally killed by Japanese whalers and has been caught in driftnets off California. Recent beachings in Hawaii have occurred, supporting the theory of open ocean habitation by this species.

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

External links

* [http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/tmmsn/29Species/MoreSpec/hubbsbeakedwhale.html Cetaceans of the World]
* [http://www.cms.int/reports/small_cetaceans/data/m_carhubbsi/m_carlhubbsi.htm CMS]
* [http://www.wdcs.org Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)]