Population structure of pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf (Kogia sima) sperm whales in the Southern Hemisphere may reflect foraging ecology and dispersal patterns

Plön, Stephanie; Best, Peter B.; Duignan, Pádraig; Lavery, Shane D.; Bernard, Ric T.F.; Van Waerebeek, Koen; Baker, C. Scott

doi:10.1016/bs.amb.2023.09.001

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (de Blainville 1838), and the dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima (Owen 1866), are the only two species in the Kogiidae family, within the superfamily Physeteroidea [ 16 , 38 , 41 ]. These relatively small, elusive, and poorly studied whales have a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and warm-temperate waters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These relatively small, elusive, and poorly studied whales have a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and warm-temperate waters. The pygmy sperm whale primarily inhabits offshore waters beyond the edge of the continental shelf, feeding mainly on cephalopods while occasionally consuming fish and crustaceans at or near the bottom of the sea at a depth of 500–1000 m on the deep shelf or slope [ 21 , 37 , 38 , 43 , 45 , 51 ]. They are found continuously in the Eastern Atlantic, from Argentina to eastern Canada, including the Caribbean Sea, the eastern United States, and the Gulf of Mexico.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anisakid parasite diversity in a pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (Cetacea: Kogiidae) stranded at the edge of its distribution range in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Cipriani,

Palomba,

Giulietti

et al. 2024

Parasite

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Anisakid nematodes are a globally distributed group of marine mammal parasites. Kogiid whales, including the pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps, host an assemblage of specific anisakid species. Currently, three species are known to be specific to kogiid hosts, i.e., Skrjabinisakis paggiae, S. brevispiculata, and the less studied Pseudoterranova ceticola. The aim of this study was to investigate the species diversity of anisakid nematodes sampled from a pygmy sperm whale stranded in 2013 at the edge of its distribution range in the Northeast Atlantic, specifically in the North of Scotland. Nematodes were assigned to genus level based on morphology and identified by sequence analysis of the mtDNA cox2 gene and the rDNA ITS region. The present finding represents the first observation of syntopic occurrence of adult stages of S. brevispiculata, S. paggiae, and P. ceticola in a pygmy sperm whale in the Northeast Atlantic, and represent the northernmost record of these species in this area. Skrjabinisakis brevispiculata was the most abundant species, accounting for 55% of the identified nematodes, predominantly in the adult stage. Anisakis simplex (s.s.) was also abundant, with most specimens in the preadult stage, followed by S. paggiae and P. ceticola. The pygmy sperm whale is rarely documented in Scottish waters, and its occurrence in the area could suggest expansion of its geographic range. The presence of S. brevispiculata, S. paggiae, and P. ceticola in this whale species in this region may indicate a shift in the whole host community involved in the life cycle of these parasites in northern waters. However, it is also plausible that these parasites were acquired while the whale was feeding in more southern regions, before migrating northbound.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anisakid parasite diversity in a pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (Cetacea: Kogiidae) stranded at the edge of its distribution range in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Cipriani,

Palomba,

Giulietti

et al. 2024

Parasite

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Evaluation of ballistics euthanasia applied to stranded cetaceans using ethological and post-mortem computed tomography assessment

Boys,

Kot,

Lye

et al. 2024

Vet Res Commun

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Debilitated stranded cetaceans with low survival likelihood, may require euthanasia to avoid further suffering. Euthanasia can involve chemical or physical methods, including ballistics. Ballistics should cause instantaneous, permanent insensibility through brainstem disruption. Despite wide application, there is limited understanding of ballistics-related welfare outcomes. We opportunistically examined behaviour of three maternally-dependent cetaceans following shooting and the related cranial disruption post-mortem using computed tomography (PMCT). Our aim was to understand whether a ‘humane death’, i.e., euthanasia, was achieved. Each animal was shot using different projectile types: soft non-bonded, solid, and soft bonded. In two animals, insensibility was not immediately assessed following shooting, although both were reported as ‘instantaneously insensible’. From our analysis, all animals displayed musculoskeletal responses to shooting, including peduncle stiffening and slack lower jaw, followed by musculature relaxation 24-, 10.3- and 20.8-seconds post-ballistics, respectively. The animal shot with a soft non-bonded projectile also displayed agonal convulsions and tail-lifting for 16-seconds post-shot; these were not observed for solid or soft bonded projectiles. PMCT findings indicated projectile disruption to the brainstem and/or spinal cord likely to cause near-instantaneous insensibility. However, extra-cranial wounding was also evident for the soft non-bonded projectile, highlighting potential for additional welfare compromise. Our results demonstrate that ballistics can achieve a relatively rapid death in young, stranded cetaceans, but careful equipment selection is required. To ensure a humane death, verification of insensibility must be undertaken immediately following shooting. Further studies should be undertaken to improve knowledge of appropriate procedures and equipment for euthanasia, ensuring humane deaths for compromised cetaceans.

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Population structure of pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf (Kogia sima) sperm whales in the Southern Hemisphere may reflect foraging ecology and dispersal patterns

Cited by 2 publications

References 49 publications

Anisakid parasite diversity in a pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (Cetacea: Kogiidae) stranded at the edge of its distribution range in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Anisakid parasite diversity in a pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (Cetacea: Kogiidae) stranded at the edge of its distribution range in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Evaluation of ballistics euthanasia applied to stranded cetaceans using ethological and post-mortem computed tomography assessment

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