Aguilar de Soto, N. et al. (2017): True’s beaked whale in Macaronesia

Aguilar de Soto et al. (2017) provide information on the occurrence, behavior and morphology of True’s beaked whale Mesoplodon mirus in the Macaronesian archipelago, and stress the importance of the area for the study of this cryptic species.

Objectives

Give the first molecular evidence of the True’s beaked whale Mesoplodon mirus in the Macaronesian islands (Azores and Canary Islands).
Report any new morphological features, including hitherto undocumented colour patterns.
Document live sightings and strandings in order to map their occurrence, patterns of behavior and role in the ecosystem.

Impact

New findings on True’s beaked whales in the Azores and Canary Islands were based on genetic analysis and actual sightings which made Macaronesian region as crucial for the species. 2. The study documented a new white head pattern in stranded and live individuals and added to the understanding of Morphological variation in the species. 3. Fresh observations of actual groups highlighted behaviors such as breaching and mother-calf relation in the deep littoral zone of 600–2,500 meters. 4. These results underscore the need for further research in the Macaronesian region regarding the ecological and conservation needs of True’s beaked whales given that these animals are rare and elusive, and interacting with deep diving cetaceans is difficult.

Supported UN Global Goals

Aguilar de Soto et al. (2017) play their part in supporting the 14th Sustainable Development Goal Life Below Water through providing more information on the True’s beaked whale Mesoplodon mirus, a known but little studied cetacean. The study also affirms the conservation of marine life through molecular proof, live sighting, and the first underwater footage of the species in Macaronesia. It underlines Macaronesia as an important region for the scientific study of rare marine animals and encouraging.