Bottlenose Whales: Hyperoodon ampullatus and H. planifrons

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter describes the bottlenose or bottlenosed whales, large and robust beaked whales (6–9 m) distinguished by their bulbous forehead short dolphin-like beak. They are chocolate brown to yellow in color, being lighter on flanks belly. coloration is believed be caused a thin diatom layer. Newborns gray with dark eye patches light-colored forehead. The maxillary crests of males become larger heavier age, leading change shape forehead, mature having flat, squared-off whereas females/immature have smooth rounded dense bone male's may used for male–male competition, as head-butt one another. Males possess single pair conical teeth at tip lower jaw (in females, they remain unerupted); however, these rarely visible live animals. Northern (H. ampullatus) southern planifrons) only recognized species within genus Hyperoodon family Ziphiidae. Recent molecular work indicates that there more than species. Sightings whale tropical Pacific has been identified past (either H. planifrons third, undescribed sp.); recent evidence suggests Longman's (Indopacetus pacificus).