Sign In
Home
Species
Researcher
Reference
Glossary
Search
Links
Contact Us
Cnidarians
Marine Fish
Marine Arthropods
Marine Molluscs
Echinoderms
Marine Reptiles
Sponges
Marine Worms
Seagrasses
Marine Algae
Ascidians
Marine Mammals
Bryozoans
Marine Fungi
Marine Microbes
Ctenophora
Search Species
Search Researcher
Search Reference
Government Agencies
International Organisations
NGOs
Local Universities
Other Databases
Search
Home
>
Species
Species
Cnidarians
Marine Fish
Marine Arthropods
Marine Molluscs
Echinoderms
Marine Reptiles
Sponges
Marine Worms
Seagrasses
Marine Algae
Ascidians
Marine Mammals
Bryozoans
Marine Fungi
Marine Microbes
Ctenophora
Researcher
Reference
Glossary
Search
Links
Contact Us
Category of Organisms
Marine Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum/Division
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Cetacea
Family
Ziphiidae
Genus
Mesoplodon
Species
ginkgodens
Binomial Name
Mesoplodon ginkgodens
Author
Nishiwaki and Kamiya, 1958
Common Name
Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale
Local Name
Size Range
Both of the genders reach 4.9 meters (16 feet) in length. They are around 2.4 meters long (8 feet) when born.
Environment/Habitat
Ginkgo-toothed whales are found in the tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific. Like other species in the genus, ginkgo-toothed beaked whales are thought to occur primarily in deep, offshore waters.
Importance/Value
Resilience
Endemic
No
Found in Marine Park
No
Found in Malaysia
Yes
Distribution
Morphology/Character
Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whales are more robust than most mesoplodonts, but otherwise look fairly typical. Halfway through the jaw, there is a sharp curve up where the ginko leaf shaped tooth is. Unlike other species such as Blainville's Beaked Whale and Andrews' Beaked Whale, the teeth do not arch over the rostrum. The beak itself is of a moderately long length. The coloration is overall dark gray on males with light patches on the front half of the beak and around the head, and also have small white spots on the bottom of the tail, but the location may be variable. Females are a lighter gray and have countershading.
Biology
These whales are presumed to be primarily squid eaters but may also take some fish.
Miscellaneaous
Status in IUCN Red List
Data Deficient (DD)
Status in CITES Species Database
II
Researcher(s)
Reference(s)
RALF KIEFNER, WHALES & DOLPHINS CETACEAN WORLD GUIDE, PUBLISHED BY IKAN, Page: 280
Other Link(s)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoplodon_ginkgodens
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/13246
Collection Record
Contact Us
Copyright © 2007 NRE. All rights reserved.
Best viewed with Internet Explorer 7.0 and above with screen resolution 1024 x 768
DISCLAIMER: The Government of Malaysia shall not be liable for any loss or damages caused by the usage of any information obtained from this web site.