Taxonomy & Nomenclature
| Scientific Name |
Mesoplodon carlhubbsi |
| Author |
Moore, 1963 |
| Taxonomic Rank |
Species |
| Taxonomic # |
180512 |
| Common Names |
English: arch-beaked whale
English: archbeaked whale
English: Hubbs' Beaked Whale
English: Hubbs's Beaked Whale
Spanish: Ballena-picuda de Hubb
|
| Current Standing |
valid |
| Taxonomic Parents |
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Cetacea
Suborder: Odontoceti
Family: Hyperoodontidae
Genus: Mesoplodon
|
| Taxonomic Children |
|
| Synonyms (since 1950) |
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Taxonomic data is courtesy of the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
See ITIS metadata in XML
Physical Description / Field Identification
Adult males of this species are more readily identifiable than individuals of most other species of mesoplodont. They have a white rostrum and white "cap" in front of the blowhole. Females and young are much more difficult to identify.
Males also have a massive flattened tusk in the middle of each side of the lower jaw, which protrudes above the level of the upper jaw. Maximum known size is 5.3 m for both sexes. Newborns are about 2.5 m long. Weights of over 1400 kg are attained.
Can be Confused With
The white "beanie" and beak tip, and large tusks may allow bulls of this species to be distinguished from other species of Mesoplodon.
Distribution
Apparently limited to the North Pacific, Hubbs’ beaked whale is known from central British Columbia to southern California in the east, and from Japan in the west. It is an oceanic species.
Ecology and Behavior
Very little is known about the biology of this species. The long, white, parallel scratches on the bodies of males are thought to be caused by closed-mouth fighting in this and other mesoplodonts.
Feeding and Prey
Hubbs’ beaked whales feed on squid (including the genera Gonatus, Onychoteuthis, Octopoteuthis, Histioteuthis, and Mastigoteuthis) and some deepwater fishes.
Threats and Status
Hubbs’ beaked whale has occasionally been taken by Japanese whalers. This species is currently listed as ‘Data Deficient’ (IUCN) and ‘Not Listed’ (ESA).
Links
References
Dalebout, M.L. 2002. Species identity, genetic diversity, and molecular systematic relationships among the Ziphiidae (beaked whales). Ph.D. dissertation, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Houston, J. 1990. Status of Hubb’s beaked whale, Mesoplodon carlhubbsi, in Canada. Canadian Field-Naturalist 104:121-124.
Mead, J.G. 1989. Beaked whales of the genus Mesoplodon. pp. 349-430 in S.H. Ridgway and R. Harrison, eds. Handbook of marine mammals, Vol. 4: River dolphins and the larger toothed whales. Academic Press.
Pitman, R.L. 2002. Mesoplodont whales Mesoplodon spp. pp. 738-742 in W.F. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds. Encyclopedia of marine mammals. Academic Press.
