Although there is no information ragarding communication and perception in Mesoplodon ginkgodens, studies of echolocation in numerous other Mesoplodon show that they use echolocation to navigate and find prey. It is likely that frequency-modulated pulses differ by species. Pulses probably vary according to the nature of activities being conducted.
Communication Channels: acoustic
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; echolocation ; chemical
Because there are so few wild encounters with Mesoplodon ginkgodens, it is difficult to determine population trends to assess potential conservation needs. This species is listed as "data deficient" on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, and is listed under Appendix II on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Mesoplodon ginkgodens is not considered as part of the United States Endangered Species Act.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix ii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: data deficient
There are no known adverse effects of Mesoplodon ginkgodens on humans.
There are no known positive effects of Mesoplodon ginkgodens on humans.
Mesoplodon ginkgodens feed on primarily squid and fish and in doing so, likely influence the populations of these animals. In addition, Mesoplodon ginkgodens serve as host to ocean parasites such as the lampreys.
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
Based on findings of similar species and on the nature of their teeth, Mesoplodon ginkgodens probably feeds on squid and fish. Some species specialize on one prey more than the other, but the feeding habits of M. ginkgodens are unknown. In addition to fish and squid, a small amount of crustaceans have been found in the stomachs of other Mesoplodon species.
Animal Foods: fish; mollusks; aquatic crustaceans
Primary Diet: carnivore (Piscivore , Molluscivore )
Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) reside in tropical and temperate waters throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The range of this species is known from 16 specimens that were found stranded on the coasts of Japan, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Australia, Southwest California, Mexico and Ecuador. There have been no confirmed sightings of live species in open oceans; however, it is presumed that they are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans from southern California to the southern tip of India.
Biogeographic Regions: indian ocean (Native ); pacific ocean (Native )
No habitat information is available for Mesoplodon ginkgodens. The habits of close relatives, Mesoplodon densirostris and Mesoplodon peruvianus, suggest that M. ginkodens prefers slightly cooler areas within the temperate/tropical zone and also upwelling regions. Upwelling regions are highly productive due to nutrient-rich bottom waters cycling to the surface.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; saltwater or marine
Aquatic Biomes: pelagic
No information is available.
Based on stranded specimens, adult males appear to be mainly dark grey, darker dorsally and slightly paler ventrally. The rostrum and lower jaw of Mesoplodon ginkgodens both have a small pale gray patch. Adult females are generally paler than males. Adults of both genders display white spots and small blade-like scars. White spots are found towards the posterior end of the ventral surface and are believed to be either from natural pigmentation or parasitism. Mesoplodon ginkgodens has a pair of distinguishing ginkgo-shaped teeth, one on each side of the lower jaw towards the middle of the beak. In males they erupt beyond the gum line, but in females they do not. This characteristic tooth is present in all males in the Mesoplodon genus. Mesoplodon ginkodens is distinguished from other Mesoplodon by the great width of its ginko-shaped tooth, which is always >100mm. Males and females reach a maximum of 5.3 meters.
Range length: 5.3 (high) m.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently
Photographs of distinctive bite marks on Mesoplodon ginkgodens indicate that their main predators may be sharks, especially cookiecutter sharks.
Known Predators:
There is no information available regarding the mating system of Mesoplodon ginkgodens.
There is no information available regarding the general reproductive behavior of Mesoplodon ginkgodens.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
While no parental investment information specific to << Mesoplodon ginkgodens>> is available, as mammals, it can be assumed that females likely provide their young with milk and protection until weaning.
Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female)
