Species identity and human consumption of beaked whales in the <scp>G</scp>ilbert <scp>I</scp>slands, <scp>R</scp>epublic of <scp>K</scp>iribati

Baker, C. Scott; Hutt, A.; Thompson, K. F.; Dalebout, Merel L.; Robins, Judith H.; Brownell, Robert L.; Stone, Gregory S.

doi:10.1111/acv.12039

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Information on additional specimens identified by DNA analysis from fragmentary osteological material from Kiribati can be found in Baker et al . ().…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…It was reportedly obtained from one of seven whales driven onto the beach and killed in October 2002 when the whales came into the shallow water of the lagoon (Baker et al . ). The description of this hunt is extremely unusual.…”

Section: Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…An expedition to Kiribati in June–July 2009 did not find any further remains on Tabiteuea Atoll, but recovered osteological material from one or more whales identified as M. hotaula through DNA analysis from nearby Onotoa Island (Baker et al . ).…”

Section: Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Resurrection of Mesoplodon hotaula Deraniyagala 1963: A new species of beaked whale in the tropical Indo‐Pacific

Dalebout

Baker

Steel

et al. 2014

Marine Mammal Science

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We present genetic and morphological evidence supporting the recognition of a previously synonymized species of Mesoplodon beaked whale in the tropical Indo-Pacific, Mesoplodon hotaula. Although the new species is closely-related to the rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whale M. ginkgodens, we show that these two lineages can be differentiated by maternally (mitochondrial DNA), biparentally (autosomal), and paternally (Y chromosome) inherited DNA sequences, as well as by morphological features. The reciprocal monophyly of the mtDNA genealogies and the largely parapatric distribution of these lineages is consistent with reproductive isolation. The new lineage is currently known from at least seven specimens: Sri Lanka (1), Gilbert Islands, Republic of Kiribati (1+), Palmyra Atoll, Northern Line Islands, U.S.A. (3), Maldives (1), and Seychelles (1). The type specimen (Sri Lanka) was described as a new species, M. hotaula, in 1963, but later synonymized with M. ginkgodens. This discovery brings the total number of Mesoplodon species to 15, making it, by far, the most speciose yet least known genus of cetaceans.

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“…Information on additional specimens identified by DNA analysis from fragmentary osteological material from Kiribati can be found in Baker et al . ().…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Resurrection of Mesoplodon hotaula Deraniyagala 1963: A new species of beaked whale in the tropical Indo‐Pacific

Dalebout

Baker

Steel

et al. 2014

Marine Mammal Science

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“…DNA samples obtained from locally consumed individuals on the Gilbert Islands (Baker et al, 2013) indicated that the following four species may be found there: Mesoplodon sp. representing either a new species or a subspecies of beaked whale, the dense-beaked whale (M. densirostris), Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps).…”

Section: Distribution and Environmental Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A note on cetaceans off Kiribati and Tuvalu from a research cruise in October 2010

Murase¹,

Temoai²,

Kirata³

et al. 2023

JCRM

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This paper summarises the results of a sighting survey conducted around the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati) and Tuvalu Islands (Tuvalu) in the central Pacific Ocean between 3 and 17 October 2010. This was the first systematic collection of cetacean sighting data in this region. The main objective of the survey was to investigate the occurrence and distribution of cetaceans around Kiribati and Tuvalu. In addition biopsy samples were obtained to investigate the species identity of Bryde’s-whale-like baleen whales through genetic analyses and to assess feeding ecology of cetaceans in the survey area through the examination of fatty acids. The survey was carried out using a sighting survey vessel, which covered a total of 1,012 n.miles (≈1,875km). A total of 24 schools (640 individuals) of cetaceans was sighted: three schools (five individuals) of Bryde’s-whale-like baleen whales, one school (nine individuals) of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), one school (six individuals) of killer whales (Orcinus orca), one school (14 individuals) of short finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), one school (two individuals) of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), eight schools (483 individuals) of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), and one school (70 individuals) of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses based on the biopsy samples identified two of the Bryde’s-whale-like whales sighted, as of the putative species Balaenoptera brydei. Compositions of fatty acids of Bryde’s and killer whales are presented. The survey provided new information on the distribution and fatty-acid composition of cetaceans around Kiribati and Tuvalu.

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“…The Gilbert Islands of Kiribati have a long history of marine mammal hunting (Di Piazza and Pearthree, 2001), and data suggest that some species of mesoplodont and Cuvier's beaked whales are still targeted for human consumption (Baker et al, 2013).…”

Section: Cetaceansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Widespread Use of Migratory Megafauna for Aquatic Wild Meat in the Tropics and Subtropics

Ingram

Prideaux²,

Hodgins³

et al. 2022

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Wild animals are captured or taken opportunistically, and the meat, body parts, and/or eggs are consumed for local subsistence or used for traditional purposes to some extent across most of the world, particularly in the tropics and subtropics. The consumption of aquatic animals is widespread, in some places has been sustained for millennia, and can be an important source of nutrition, income, and cultural identity to communities. Yet, economic opportunities to exploit wildlife at higher levels have led to unsustainable exploitation of some species. In the literature, there has been limited focus on the exploitation of aquatic non-fish animals for food and other purposes. Understanding the scope and potential threat of aquatic wild meat exploitation is an important first step toward appropriate inclusion on the international policy and conservation management agenda. Here, we conduct a review of the literature, and present an overview of the contemporary use of aquatic megafauna (cetaceans, sirenians, chelonians, and crocodylians) in the global tropics and subtropics, for species listed on the Appendices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). We find that consumption of aquatic megafauna is widespread in coastal regions, although to varying degrees, and that some species are likely to be at risk from overexploitation, particularly riverine megafauna. Finally, we provide recommendations for CMS in the context of the mandate of the Aquatic Wild Meat Working Group.

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Species identity and human consumption of beaked whales in the Gilbert Islands, Republic of Kiribati

Cited by 8 publications

References 25 publications

Resurrection of Mesoplodon hotaula Deraniyagala 1963: A new species of beaked whale in the tropical Indo‐Pacific

Resurrection of Mesoplodon hotaula Deraniyagala 1963: A new species of beaked whale in the tropical Indo‐Pacific

A note on cetaceans off Kiribati and Tuvalu from a research cruise in October 2010

Widespread Use of Migratory Megafauna for Aquatic Wild Meat in the Tropics and Subtropics

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