MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF CEPHALOPODS PREY RETRIEVED FROM THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF AN EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH CUVIER’S BEAKED WHALE (ZIPHIUS CAVIROSTRIS) STRANDED IN GRAN CANARIA (CANARY ISLANDS)

ANALISI MORFOLOGICA E MOLECOLARE DI CEFALOPODI ESTRATTI DAL TRATTO DIGERENTE DI ESEMPLARE DI ZIFIO (ZIPHIUS CAVIROSTRIS) ECCEZIONALMENTE FRESCO SPIAGGIATOSI IN GRAN CANARIA (ISOLE CANARIE)

Abstract

Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) remains one of the least understood cetaceans, with limited information on its behavior, diet, and ecological role. Understanding its trophic ecology is essential to expand knowledge of deep-diving cetaceans and improve conservation strategies. This study examines the cephalopod preys consumed by a individual shortly before its death, in the Canary Islands, combining morphological and molecular methods to identify species from beaks and undigested tissues. The whale was exceptionally well preserved, and necropsy confirmed recent foraging activity. Cephalopod beaks cross-referenced with molecular data strengthened species identification and revealed dietary preferences consistent with literature, with Cranchidae and Octopoteuthidae species as main prey. Some unusual items were also detected, including specimens of undescribed or genetically uncharacterized species. Since such well-preserved specimens are extremely rare and considering the difficulty of studying deep-diving cetaceans, this case study provides valuable insights into the feeding ecology of Z. cavirostris and a natural sampler for deep-sea cephalopods’ species.