We investigated the species identity and local use of cetaceans on the Gilbert
Islands, Republic of Kiribati. Working with the Kiribati Ministry of Environment,
Lands and Agricultural Development and Fisheries Division, we visited
the islands of Tarawa, Tabiteuea (North), Butaritari and Onotoa from June to
July 2009, and collected 24 bones, bone fragments or teeth attributed to recent
strandings. The mitochondrial DNA control region or cytochrome b was successfully
amplified from 12 bones or bone fragments and used to identify four
species: Mesoplodon sp. representing a new species or subspecies of beaked
whale, the dense-beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris, Cuvier’s beaked whale
Ziphius cavirostris and the pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps. This is the first
confirmed identification of the dense-beaked, Cuvier’s and pygmy sperm whales
from the Gilbert Islands. All specimens were reportedly used for human
consumption.Keywords: Molecular taxonomy, DNA surveillance, Biodiversity, Marine bushmeat, Subsistenc
