Dissecting the world's rarest whale in pictures
Briefly

The dissection of the rare spade-toothed whale, Mesoplodon traversii, serves both scientific inquiry and a deeper cultural connection to Maori traditions, showcasing interdisciplinary collaboration.
At the dissection meeting, safety protocols and tikanga were established, emphasizing respect for both scientific best practices and Maori ethical guidelines during the examination of the whale.
The collaborative effort involved scientists and Maori tribes, illustrating the importance of integrating traditional knowledge and contemporary scientific methods in marine conservation efforts.
As scientists weighed the epaxial muscles, filled with myoglobin for oxygen storage, they gathered critical data for comparison with other deep-diving beaked whales, crucial for understanding their biology.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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