Stranded spade-toothed beaked whales in New Zealand in 2010

Original provider: University of Auckland & New Zealand Department of Conservation Dataset credits: Peter Livingstone, New Zealand Department of Conservation Rochelle Constantine, University of Auckland Abstract: The vast expanses of the South Pacific Ocean have, until recently, concealed the identity of the world's rarest whale, the spade-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon traversii). Based on the scarcity of records and the total absence of previous sightings, this species is the least known species of whale and one of the world’s rarest living mammals. Two individuals of this species, previously known from only two skull fragments and a mandible, were recently discovered beachcast in New Zealand. Although initially misidentified, we have used DNA analysis to reveal their true identity. We provide the first morphological description and images of this enigmatic species. This study highlights the importance of DNA typing and reference collections for the identification of rare species.

Citation: Constantine, R. 2013. Stranded spade-toothed beaked whales in New Zealand in 2010. Version 1.0.0. Dataset published in OBIS-SEAMAP. https://doi.org/10.82144/984928a2.

Published: October 08, 2025 at 00:33

URL: http://ipt.env.duke.edu/resource?r=zd_882