Physeter catodon Linnaeus 1758

Physeter catodon Linnaeus 1758, Syst. Nat., 10th ed., Vol. 1: 76.

Type Locality: "Habitat in Oceano Septentrionali.", restricted to Netherlands, Middenpiat by Husson and Holthuis (1974).

Vernacular Names: Sperm Whale.

Synonyms: Physeter australasianus Desmoulins 1822; Physeter australis Gray 1846; Physeter macrocephalus Linnnaeus 1758 .

Distribution: Worldwide: antarctic and cold-temperate waters (northern hemisphere) to tropical waters.

Conservation: CITES – Appendix I; U.S. ESA – Endangered; IUCN – Vulnerable as P. macrocephalus .

Discussion: Neotype designated by Husson and Holthuis (1974:212). Linnaeus used both catodon and macrocephalus in the 10th edition. P. catodon has line priority and, according to Linnaeus' diagnoses, is the only name applicable. See Hershkovitz (1966 a:121), Schevill (1986, 1987 b), Holthuis (1987), and Rice (1989, who also reviewed the species).