Family Ziphiidae - Beaked Whales (21 species in 5 genera)
The taxonomy of this group is unresolved and is currently under study. Although likely to change, there are 19 species currently recognized. The beaked whales are medium-sized cetaceans (4 to 13 m long), which as a rule, have reverse sexual dimorphism (females larger than males). In general, beaked whales have a pronounced beak, relatively small dorsal fin set far back on the body, small flippers that fit into depressions on the sides, 2 short throat grooves, flukes without a notch, and no more than 1 or 2 pairs of functional teeth in the lower jaw of males only (major exceptions are Berardius, in which females also have 2 pairs of exposed teeth, and Tasmacetus, in which both sexes have long rows of slender functional teeth). Beaked whales are poorly known as a rule; however, most are thought to be deep-diving squid feeders. They generally travel in small groups.
Genera
Genus Berardius containing 2 species:
Berardius arnuxii (Arnoux's beaked whale)
Berardius bairdii (Baird's beaked whale)
Genus Hyperoodon containing 3 species:
Hyperoodon ampullatus (Northern bottlenose whale)
Hyperoodon planifrons (Southern bottlenose whale)
Hyperoodon sp. (unidentified)
Genus Mesoplodon containing 14 species:
Mesoplodon bidens (Sowerby's beaked whale)
Mesoplodon bowdoini (Andrews' beaked whale)
Mesoplodon carlhubbsi (Hubbs' beaked whale)
Mesoplodon densirostris (Blainville's beaked whale)
Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais' beaked whale)
Mesoplodon ginkgodens (Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale)
Mesoplodon grayi (Gray's beaked whale)
Mesoplodon hectori (Hector's beaked whale)
Mesoplodon layardii (Strap-toothed whale)
Mesoplodon mirus (True's beaked whale)
Mesoplodon pacificus (Longman's beaked whale)
Mesoplodon peruvianus (Pygmy beaked whale)
Mesoplodon stejnegeri (Stejneger's beaked whale)
Mesoplodon sp. "A"
Genus Tasmacetus containing 1 species:
Tasmacetus shepherdi (Shepherd's beaked whale)
Genus Ziphius containing 1 species:
Ziphius cavirostris (Cuvier's beaked whale)