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| Mesoplodon hotaula on Desroches Island in the Seychelles
photo: Lisa Thompson | science.unsw.edu.au
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Abstract
We present genetic and morphological evidence supporting the recognition of a previously synonymized species of Mesoplodon beaked whale in the tropical Indo-Pacific, Mesoplodon hotaula. Although the new species is closely-related to the rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whale M. ginkgodens, we show that these two lineages can be differentiated by maternally (mitochondrial DNA), biparentally (autosomal), and paternally (Y chromosome) inherited DNA sequences, as well as by morphological features. The reciprocal monophyly of the mtDNA genealogies and the largely parapatric distribution of these lineages is consistent with reproductive isolation. The new lineage is currently known from at least seven specimens: Sri Lanka (1), Gilbert Islands, Republic of Kiribati (1+), Palmyra Atoll, Northern Line Islands, U.S.A. (3), Maldives (1), and Seychelles (1). The type specimen (Sri Lanka) was described as a new species, M. hotaula, in 1963, but later synonymized with M. ginkgodens. This discovery brings the total number of Mesoplodon species to 15, making it, by far, the most speciose yet least known genus of cetaceans.
Keywords: speciation; taxonomy; species delimitation; mtDNA; nuclear introns; Y-chromosome; morphology; Mesoplodon; beaked whale
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| A male specimen of Mesoplodon hotaula on Desroches Island in the Seychelles
photo: Lisa Thompson
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Merel L. Dalebout, C. Scott Baker, Debbie Steel, Kirsten Thompson, Kelly M. Robertson, Susan J. Chivers, William F. Perrin, Manori Goonatilake, R. Charles Anderson, James G. Mead, Charles W. Potter, Lisa Thompson, Danielle Jupiter, Tadasu K. Yamada. 2014. Resurrection of Mesoplodon hotaula Deraniyagala 1963: A New Species of Beaked Whale in the tropical Indo-Pacific.
Marine Mammal Science. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1111/mms.12113
Marine Mammal Science. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1111/mms.12113
2012. A Newly Recognised Beaked Whale (Ziphiidae) in the Tropical Indo-Pacific:
Mesoplodon hotaula or M. ginkgodens hotaula
Mesoplodon hotaula or M. ginkgodens hotaula
2013. Deraniyagala’s beaked whale, Mesoplodon hotaula:
A review of current status, biology, threats and future research needs
A review of current status, biology, threats and future research needs
