RESURRECTION OF MESOPLODON TRAVERSII (GRAY, 1874), SENIOR SYNONYM OF M. BAHAMONDI REYES, VAN WAEREBEEK, CÁRDENAS AND YÁÑEZ, 1995 (CETACEA: ZIPHIIDAE) |
| |
| Authors: | Anton L. van Helden Alan N. Baker Merel L. Dalebout Julio C. Reyes Koen Van Waerebeek C. Scott Baker |
| |
| Affiliation: | Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, P. O. Box 467, Wellington, New Zealand E-mail:;Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai, P. O. Box 10420, Wellington, New Zealand;School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand;Areas Costeras y Recursos Marinos (ACOREMA), Av. San Martín, 1471 Pisco, Peru;Peruvian Centre for Cetacean Research (CEPEC), Jorge Chávez 302, Pucusana, Lima 20, Peru;School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand |
| |
| Abstract: | Mesoplodon traversii (Gray, 1874) is shown to be a senior synonym of the recently described beaked whale Mesoplodon hahamondi Reyes et al. , 1995 on the basis of a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. The mandible and teeth of M. traversii , first reported in 1873 by Hector as Dolichodon layardii . are redescribed. The species can be distinguished by features of the calvaria; including the large jugal, broad rostrum, and small distance between premaxillary foramina. The male teeth, which are large and spade-shaped with a strong terminal denticle, are also diagnostic. M. traversii is known only from Pitt Island and White Island, New Zealand and Robinson Crusoe Island, Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile. |
| |
| Keywords: | beaked whales Mesoplodon taxonomy morphology phylogenetics mtDNA South Pacific |
|
|
