Article

Indian Ocean Sighting of Shepherd’s Beaked Whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) Helps Confirm Circumpolar Distribution in Southern Hemisphere

Authors:
Jared R. Towers at Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Jared R. Towers
Paul Tixier at Institute of Research for Development
Paul Tixier
Download citation
To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors.

Abstract

This article presents details on the 24th confirmed and reported live sighting of Shepherd's beaked whale and the only documentation of it to date east of Tristan da Cunha and west of Australia.

No full-text available

Request Full-text Paper PDF

To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.

ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Cetacean distribution in relation to oceanographic features at the Kerguelen Plateau
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2022
  • POLAR BIOL
The Kerguelen Plateau in the south-eastern Indian Ocean is one of the most isolated and understudied regions on earth. As part of the Kerguelen Plateau Drifts project, Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) data were collected during a seismic survey in the austral summer (January–February 2020). Relationships between observation effort, cetacean sightings, seismic operations, and oceanographic variables—including bathymetry (depth and slope), nutrient concentrations, and indices of primary productivity—were investigated using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). In total, 354 h and 45 min of observation effort resulted in 191 cetaceans (178 adults and at least 13 juveniles) of nine species observed on 48 occasions, over 14 days along the transect line. Marine mammal sightings occurred in water depths of 624–4699 m, with a hotspot of sightings recorded along the northern flank of the Kerguelen Plateau, in proximity to shelf edges. There was one sighting of a mixed pod of Kerguelen Commerson’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii kerguelenensis) and dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), which to the best of our knowledge, is the first confirmed sighting of dusky dolphins in the Kerguelen Islands. Of the nine cetacean species observed, no niche separation was apparent, and all species were observed throughout the survey area. Dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll-a were the most significant predictors of cetacean occurrence. Systematic MMO data combined with synoptic satellite-derived/empirical oceanographic metadata have great potential to facilitate understanding of behaviour, geographical range, and population-status monitoring of cetaceans. This is especially important for cetacean stock assessment and minimising potential acoustic disturbance in Antarctic ecosystems.
View
First underwater sighting of Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi)
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2019
Here we describe the first underwater sighting of Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi). Two individuals were observed together on video footage obtained via mid-water stereo-Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems(BRUVS) deployed off the coast of Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha, in the South Atlantic. This observation constitutes the first recorded live sighting of this species in the waters of Tristan da Cunha since 2002 and provides further evidence for the persistence of a population of this species in the region. The observed individuals lacked the dark flipper stripe observed in previous descriptions, indicating that the species may exhibit greater variation in pigmentation than previous records indicate. The planned implementation of a marine reserve in the region along with the current low level of fishing pressure and remote location of this archipelago provide a good context to ensure the appropriate management and protection of this rare species. The recent establishment of an ongoing mid-water stereo-BRUVS monitoring programme, in concert with other methods targeted at marine mammals, may yield further information about this little known species and aid in informing management decisions in the future.
View
View
Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals
Book
  • Jan 2002
This thorough revision of the classic first edition brings this authoritative book right up-to-date. Articles describe every species in detail, based on the very latest taxonomy, and a host of biological, ecological and sociological aspects relating to marine mammals. The latest information on the biology, ecology, anatomy, behavior and interactions with man is provided by a cast of expert authors - all presented in such detail and clarity to support both marine mammal specialists and the serious naturalist. Fully referenced throughout and with a fresh selection of the best color photographs available, the long-awaited 2nd edition remains at the forefront as the go-to reference on marine mammals. * More than 20% NEW MATERIAL includes articles on Climate Change, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Sociobiology, Habitat Use, Feeding Morphology and more * Over 260 articles on the individual species with topics ranging from anatomy and behavior, to conservation, exploitation and the impact of global climate change on marine mammals * New color illustrations show every species and document topical articles FROM THE FIRST EDITION "This book is so good... a bargain, full of riches...packed with fascinating up to date information. I recommend it unreservedly it to individuals, students, and researchers, as well as libraries". - Richard M. Laws, MARINE MAMMALS SCIENCE "...establishes a solid and satisfying foundation for current study and future exploration" - Ronald J. Shusterman, SCIENCE.
View
Scientific correspondence probable Union for Conservation of Nature
  • Jan 1996
  • G Braulik
Braulik, G. (2018). Tasmacetus shepherdi. International Laughlin, C. (1996). Scientific correspondence probable Union for Conservation of Nature (Ed.), The IUCN red sighting of Tasmacetus shepherdi in the South Atlantic. list of threatened species 2018 (e.T21500A50377701).
  • Jan 2018
  • MAR MAMMAL SCI
  • 496-497
  • E M Webster
  • T Rayment
Marine Mammal Science, 12, 496-497. https://doi.org/ IUCN. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS. 10.1111/j.1748-7692.1996.tb00605.x T21500A50377701.en Leunissen, E. M., Webster, T., & Rayment, W. (2018).
Characteristics of vocalisations recorded from free-A Shepherd's beaked whale, Tasmacetus shepherdi, ranging Shepherd's beaked whales, Tasmacetus shepfrom the eastern South Pacific. Scientific Reports of the herdi
  • Jan 1976
  • J ACOUST SOC AM
  • 2701-2708
  • R L Brownell
  • Jr
  • L Aguayo
  • A Torres
Brownell, R. L., Jr., Aguayo L., A., & Torres, N. D. (1976). Characteristics of vocalisations recorded from free-A Shepherd's beaked whale, Tasmacetus shepherdi, ranging Shepherd's beaked whales, Tasmacetus shepfrom the eastern South Pacific. Scientific Reports of the herdi. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Whales Research Institute, 28, 127-128. 144(5), 2701-2708. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5067380
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Known and inferred distributions of beaked whale spe-Freshwater Research
  • 271-286
  • New Zealand
New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Known and inferred distributions of beaked whale spe-Freshwater Research, 26, 131-154. https://doi.org/10.1 cies (Cetacea: Ziphiidae). Journal of Cetacean Research 080/00288330.1992.9516509 and Management, 7(3), 271-286.
Shepherd's beaked whale
  • Jan 1937
  • 309-320
  • D M Donnelly
  • P Ensor
  • P Gill
  • R H Clarke
  • Evans
  • J Mead
  • K Tasmacetus
  • M C Double
  • T Webster
  • W Rayment
  • Schmitt
  • Oliver Shepherdi
Donnelly, D. M., Ensor, P., Gill, P., Clarke, R. H., Evans, Mead, J. (1989). Shepherd's beaked whale Tasmacetus K., Double, M. C., Webster, T., Rayment, W., & Schmitt, shepherdi Oliver, 1937. In S. H. Ridgway & R. Harrison T. (2018). New diagnostic descriptions and distribution (Eds.), Handbook of marine mammals (pp. 309-320). information for Shepherd's beaked whale (Tasmacetus Academic Press. shepherdi) off southern Australia and New Zealand.
Shepherd's beaked whale Tasmacetus Marine Mammal Science
  • Jan 2002
  • 829-840
  • J G Mead
Mead, J. G. (2002). Shepherd's beaked whale Tasmacetus Marine Mammal Science, 34(3), 829-840. https://doi. shepherdi. In W. F. Perrin, B. Würsig, & J. G. M. org/10.1111/mms.12478
  • Jan 1968
  • 1-92
  • D E Gaskin
Gaskin, D. E. (1968). The New Zealand Cetacea. Fisheries (pp. 1078-1084). Academic Press. Research Bulletin (New Zealand), 1, 1-92.
Whales, dolphins and seals. beaked whale, Tasmacetus shepherdi
  • Jan 1972
  • J G Mead
  • R S Payne
Mead, J. G., & Payne, R. S. (1975). Specimen of Tasman Gaskin, D. E. (1972). Whales, dolphins and seals. beaked whale, Tasmacetus shepherdi, from Argentina.
  • Jan 2015
  • P C Gill
  • R Pirzl
  • M G Morrice
  • K Lawton
Gill, P. C., Pirzl, R., Morrice, M. G., & Lawton, K. (2015). org/10.2307/1379619
Tasmacetus shepherdi: A new southern Australia. The Journal of Wildlife Management, genus and species of beaked whale from New Zealand
  • Jan 1937
  • 197-230
  • W R B Oliver
Cetacean diversity of the continental shelf and slope off Oliver, W. R. B. (1937). Tasmacetus shepherdi: A new southern Australia. The Journal of Wildlife Management, genus and species of beaked whale from New Zealand. 79, 672-681. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.867 Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, Series B, Goodall, R. N. P. (1978). Report on the small cetaceans 107, 371-382. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1937. stranded on the coast of Tierra del Fuego. Scientific tb00015.x Reports of the Whales Research Institute, 30, 197-230.
Record of a Life on the edge: Marine life and fronts. Oceanography, specimen of Shepherd's beaked whale
  • Jan 2005
  • 52-60
  • G M Svendsen
  • S L Dans
Svendsen, G. M., & Dans, S. L. (2005). Record of a Life on the edge: Marine life and fronts. Oceanography, specimen of Shepherd's beaked whale (Tasmacetus 7, 52-60. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.1994.03
  • 744-755
  • A G Ginzburg
  • A I Frankignoulle
Science, 22, 744-755. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-Kostianoy, A. G., Ginzburg, A. I., Frankignoulle, M., & 7692.2006.00066.x
Fourth known individual of beaked inferred from satellite sea surface temperature data
  • Jan 1965
  • 618-620
  • B Delille
Delille, B. (2004). Fronts in the Southern Indian Ocean as Smith, M. S. R. (1965). Fourth known individual of beaked inferred from satellite sea surface temperature data. Journal whale, genus Tasmacetus. Mammalia, 29, 618-620.
Tasmacetus shepherdi: History and description of specimens cast ashore on Masons Bay
  • Jan 1933
  • 200-204
  • J Sorensen
Sorensen, J. (1940). Tasmacetus shepherdi: History and description of specimens cast ashore on Masons Bay, Steward Island, in February, 1933. Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 70, 200-204.