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List of mammals of Tuvalu

This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Tuvalu. There are three mammal species in Tuvalu identified in the IUCN Red List, all of which are marine mammals of the order Cetacea: ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens), pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata), and pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata).

The literature review by Miller (2006) found four additional cetaceans reported: orca or killer whale (Orcinus orca), spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). The pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) is found in the lists of both Miller and the IUCN.

A revision of the list of cetaceans reported in the ocean surrounding Tuvalu was carried out by Miller (2009), who listed a "minke-like" whale (Balaenoptera species) and a diminutive sperm whale (Kogia species).

In 2010 a research voyage was conducted within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Kiribati and Tuvalu. The survey confirmed the presence of seven species of cetaceans: sperm whale, killer whale, Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), spinner dolphin, and striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).

The Pacific Ocean surrounding Tuvalu is within the range of these cetaceans although sightings of some of these species may be infrequent.

The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature:

Order: Cetacea (whales)

The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater.

Parvorder Mysticeti: baleen whales
- Superfamily Balaenopteroidea
  - Family Balaenopteridae: rorquals
    - Subfamily Balaenopterinae
      - Genus Balaenoptera: slender rorquals
        Bryde's whale, Balaenoptera brydei DD
Parvorder Odontoceti: toothed whales
- Superfamily Delphinoidea: dolphins and relatives
  - Family Delphinidae: oceanic dolphins
    - Subfamily Delphininae
      - Genus Stenella
        Pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata LR/cd
        
        Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris LR/cd
        
        Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba LC
      - Genus Tursiops
        Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus DD
    - Subfamily Orcininae
      - Genus Feresa
        Pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata DD
      - Genus Globicephala
        Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhyncus LR/cd
      - Genus Orcinus
        Killer whale (orca), Orcinus orca DD
      - Genus: Pseudorca
        False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens DD
- Superfamily Physeteroidea, sperm whales
  - Family Kogiidae
    - Genus Kogia
      - Dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima LR/lc
  - Family Physeteridae: sperm whale family
    - Genus Physeter
      - Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus VU
- Superfamily Ziphioidea, beaked whales
  - Family Ziphidae, beaked whales
    - Subfamily Hyperoodontinae
      - Genus Mesoplodon, mesoplodont whales
        Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens DD

Notes

References

Murase, H & Temoai, I & Kirata, Taratau & Finkaso, S & Yasunaga, Genta & Pastene, L.A. (2023). "A note on cetaceans off Kiribati and Tuvalu from a research cruise in October 2010". Journal of Cetacean Research and Management. 13 (2): 153–158. doi:10.47536/jcrm.v13i2.544. S2CID 256717782.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
"Tuvalu - Summary of species on the 2008 IUCN Red List" (PDF). IUCN. 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
"Mammal Species of the World". Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. 2005. Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2007.
"Animal Diversity Web". University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. 1995–2006. Retrieved 22 May 2007.
Edgar Waite published an account of The Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes of Funafuti (Australian Museum, Sydney, 1897).