A DIVERGENT mtDNA LINEAGE AMONG MESOPLODON BEAKED WHALES: MOLECULAR EVIDENCE FOR A NEW SPECIES IN THE TROPICAL PACIFIC?

The article discusses the importance of the approach known as DNA taxonomy. It was revealed that DNA sequence data enable not only the inference of evolutionary relationships and population histories but also represent a powerful tool for uncovering hidden biodiversity. Accordingly, the application of DNA taxonomy to beaked whales, the least known of all cetacean families had led to some significant discoveries in recent years. Moreover, these include the description of a new species from the North Pacific, the resurrection of a long-forgotten species in the Southern Hemisphere. Furthermore, the framework for these findings was provided by comprehensive data sets of DNA reference sequences for two mitochondrial genes and cytochrome.