Re-identification of the Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and the Gervais’ beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt “Updating, Strandings in opposite to climatic and anthropogenic impacts

This study updates the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) stranded on the Egyptian coast of the Mediterranean Sea in 2021, emphasizing the reidentification of the previously reported fin whale (B. physalus)  vs. the misidentified Bryde’s whale  (B. edeni) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) vs. Gervais’ beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) during 2018, considering the remarkable features for the correct identification and actual conservation. Data on the newly stranded fin whale were reported from Ghalion zone, Metobus, Kafr El-Sheikh province in February 2021, and data for the reidentification were taken from documents during 2019 and 2020 adding new photographs for description again and confirming the reidentified whales. The present stranded specimen was confirmed as the fin whale using unique features such as a single longitudinal ridge on the head above, the front third of the right baleen is white, and a short dorsal fin that is not curved sufficiently. Secondly, for the whale reidentified again vs. Bryde’s whale, the confirmation, a comparison with other similar whales using photographs and features has confirmed that the reidentified species is the fin whale B. physalus.The genetic analysis for Bryde’s whale had missed some scientific key two major aspects, which were providing clear GenBank identifres and relying on a single genetic marker of a mitochondrial nature for species identification. Moreover, the provided record was based on an unclear photograph, which caused some confusion. Hence, the detailed description using photographs has considered it a fin whale, not Bryde’s whale. Gervais’ beaked whale has been reidentified also as Cuvier’s beaked whale using clearer photographs based on the position of teeth on the lower lips, length of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw, and faint strips on the body. This study recommends paying more attention to marine mammals in Egypt and their identification using both morphological and genetic features, in addition to osteological features. For conservation and management, climatic and anthropogenic activities should be considered in the current and future.