ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA ›› 2015, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (2): 211-223.

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Using mtDNA sequences and morphological characters to re-identify stranded beaked whales in Fujian Province, China

WANG Peilie, YAO Chiouju, HAN Jiabo,MA Zhiqiang, Lu Zhichuang   

  1. Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Research and Ecology
  • Online:2015-05-15 Published:2015-08-12
  • Contact: YAO Chiouju:yaocj6502@gmail.com

利用mtDNA序列及形态特征重新鉴定福建长乐搁浅喙鲸

王丕烈 姚秋如 韩家波 马志强 鹿志创   

  1. 辽宁省海洋水产科学研究院,辽宁省海洋生物资源和生态学重点实验室
  • 通讯作者: 姚秋如:yaocj6502@gmail.com
  • 作者简介:王丕烈(1927-)男,研究员,主要从事鲸类资源和海兽保护研究.

Abstract: We reexamined two mysterious beaked whale specimens stranded in Changle city of Fujian Province for species identification based on mtDNA sequences and morphological characters.By using DNA sequence similarity, genetic distance comparisons, and phylogenetic reconstruction analysis, three species were identified based on mtDNA fragments of control region and cytochrome b gene of different skeletal elements.They were Mesoplodon ginkgodens, M. densirostris and Physeter macrocephalus. Among the skeletal elements,we found that mandibles of the two Mesoplodon specimens had been exchanged during specimen preparation. In addition, teeth of both Mesoplodon specimens were lost and two teeth located inthe mandible of M. densirostris were identified as P. macrocephalus.After removing the Physeter teeth from the specimenand setting the mandibles to right positions, we describe the morphological characteristics of the two beaked whale skulls. Based on molecular evidence,skull characters and photos/ videos of the two stranding events, we conclude that the Mesoplodon stranded in Jiuzhamen beach of Changle city on 28th Sep. 2008 was a female M. densirostris, and the other onebeached at Shiqikong, Wenwusha county, Changle city on 12th Nov. 2008 was one male M. ginkgodens. Our study alsoconfirmed the first record of M. ginkgodens in Mainland China.

Key words: Blainvills’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), Control region, Cytochrome b gene, Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens), mtDNA

关键词: 福建省长乐, 银杏齿中喙鲸, 柏氏中喙鲸, 线粒体DNA, 控制区, 细胞色素b基因