List of mammals of Tuvalu explained

See also: Funafuti Conservation Area. This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Tuvalu. There are three mammal species in Tuvalu identified in the IUCN Red List, all of which are marine mammals of the order Cetacea: ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens), pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata), and pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata).^[1]

The literature review by Miller (2006) found four additional cetaceans reported: orca or killer whale (Orcinus orca), spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).^{[2] [3]} The pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) is found in the lists of both Miller and the IUCN.

A revision of the list of cetaceans reported in the ocean surrounding Tuvalu was carried out by Miller (2009),^[4] who listed a "minke-like" whale (Balaenoptera species) and a diminutive sperm whale (Kogia species).^[4]

In 2010 a research voyage was conducted within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Kiribati and Tuvalu. The survey confirmed the presence of seven species of cetaceans: sperm whale, killer whale, Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), spinner dolphin, and striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).^[5]

The Pacific Ocean surrounding Tuvalu is within the range of these cetaceans although sightings of some of these species may be infrequent.

The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature:

DD

Data deficient

There is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.

Order: Cetacea (whales)

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The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater.

• Parvorder Mysticeti: baleen whales

Superfamily BalaenopteroideaFamily Balaenopteridae: rorqualsSubfamily Balaenopterinae

• • • • • Genus Balaenoptera: slender rorquals
          • Bryde's whale, Balaenoptera brydei^[5] DD
• Parvorder Odontoceti: toothed whales

Superfamily Delphinoidea: dolphins and relativesFamily Delphinidae: oceanic dolphinsSubfamily Delphininae

• • • • • Genus Stenella
          • Pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata LR/cd
          • Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris^[5] LR/cd
          • Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba^[5] LC
        • Genus Tursiops
          • Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus DD

Subfamily Orcininae

• • • • • Genus Feresa
          • Pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata DD
        • Genus Globicephala
          • Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhyncus^[5] LR/cd
        • Genus Orcinus
          • Killer whale (orca), Orcinus orca DD
        • Genus: Pseudorca
          • False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens^[5] DD

Superfamily Physeteroidea, sperm whalesFamily Kogiidae

• • • • Genus Kogia
        • Dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima LR/lc

Family Physeteridae: sperm whale family

• • • • Genus Physeter
        • Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus ^[5] VU

Superfamily Ziphioidea, beaked whalesFamily Ziphidae, beaked whalesSubfamily Hyperoodontinae

• • • • • Genus Mesoplodon, mesoplodont whales
          • Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens DD

See also

• List of chordate orders
• Lists of mammals by region
• List of prehistoric mammals
• Mammal classification
• List of mammals described in the 2000s

References

• Murase, H & Temoai, I & Kirata, Taratau & Finkaso, S & Yasunaga, Genta & Pastene, L.A.. A note on cetaceans off Kiribati and Tuvalu from a research cruise in October 2010 . Journal of Cetacean Research and Management . 13 . 2023. 2. 153–158. 10.47536/jcrm.v13i2.544. 256717782. free.
• Web site: Tuvalu - Summary of species on the 2008 IUCN Red List. IUCN. 2008. 4 November 2011.
• Web site: Mammal Species of the World . Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History . 2005 . 22 May 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070427043030/http://nmnhgoph.si.edu/msw/ . 27 April 2007 . dead .
• Web site: Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. 1995–2006. 22 May 2007.
• Edgar Waite published an account of The Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes of Funafuti (Australian Museum, Sydney, 1897).^[6]

Notes and References

1. This list is derived from the IUCN Red List which lists species of mammals and includes those mammals that have recently been classified as extinct (since 1500 AD). The taxonomy and naming of the individual species is based on those used in existing Wikipedia articles as of 21 May 2007 and supplemented by the common names and taxonomy from the IUCN, Smithsonian Institution, or University of Michigan where no Wikipedia article was available.
2. Book: Miller . Cara . Current State of Knowledge of Cetacean Threats, Diversity and Habitats in the Pacific Islands Region . 14 February 2006 . WDCS Australasia Inc . 98 .
3. Web site: Pacific Islands Regional Species Programme 2008-2012. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) . 2008. 9 October 2013.
4. Book: Miller . Cara . Current State of Knowledge of Cetacean Threats, Diversity and Habitats in the Pacific Islands Region . 1 July 2009 . WDCS Australasia Inc . 49–50.
5. Murase, H & Temoai, I & Kirata, Taratau & Finkaso, S & Yasunaga, Genta & Pastene, L.A.. A note on cetaceans off Kiribati and Tuvalu from a research cruise in October 2010 . Journal of Cetacean Research and Management . 13 . 2023. 2. 153–158. 10.47536/jcrm.v13i2.544. 256717782. free.
6. Waite . Edgar R.. The mammals, reptiles, and fishes of Funafuti . Australian Museum Memoir. 1897 . 3. 3. 165–202. Australian Museum Memoir 3(3): 165–202. 10.3853/j.0067-1967.3.1897.494. free.