A call to rename Ziphius cavirostris the goose‐beaked whale: promoting inclusivity and diversity in marine mammalogy by re‐examining common names

• DOI: 10.1111/mms.13150
• Publication Date: 2024-06-17T04:23:56Z
• Authors: Ashley D. Rogers; Aileen Lavelle; Robin W. Baird; Arona Bender; Anna Borroni; Gustavo Cárdenas ...; William R. Cioffi; Brianna W. Elliott; Craig Harms; Anne E. Harshbarger; Ann‐Marie Jacoby; Kathryn Lienhard; Sydney Mantell; William A. McLellan; Greg Merrill; D. Ann Pabst; Keith Rittmaster; Massimiliano Rosso; Greg Schorr; Brandon L. Southall; Zach T. Swaim; Paola Tepsich; Vicky G. Thayer; Kim W. Urian; Danielle M. Waples; Daniel L. Webster; Jillian Wisse; Dana L. Wright; Andrew J. Read
• Keywords: Beaked whale

On November 1, 2023, the American Ornithological Society (AOS), announced it would "change all English bird names currently named after people within its geographic jurisdiction" (AOS, 2023). The AOS President, Dr. Colleen Handel, noted that "there is power in a name, and some have associations with past continue to be exclusionary harmful today" Common are important because they used identify communicate effectively about species amongst scientific broader community. As by these also carry legacy can reinforce exclusivity. In this letter, we urge marine mammal science community discard use of common name "Cuvier's beaked whale" for Ziphius cavirostris. Instead, recommend adoption alternative species, goose-beaked whale. We make request Georges Cuvier's foundational role creating disseminating racism his misogynistic beliefs. ask scientists address history associated other eponymous impact on members our Cuvier erroneously described cavirostris as an extinct whale Recherches sur les ossements, specimen was excavated donated him "peasant" words (Cuvier, 1823). His often result. However, many modern may not familiar how racist beliefs were research practices theories, which will describe briefly here. During career, vocal critic theories evolution (Cuvier & Latreille, 1829; Jackson Weidman, 2006) and, 1829, published Le Règne Animal, he ranked three "human races" proclaimed Caucasians original superior race (Jackson 2006). He "correlated cranial facial measurements perceived moral mental capabilities," claimed "divinely created unchangeable," following belief monogenism work racism. had students who promoted elaborated eugenic including Sir William Lawrence, believed "sexual selection has improved beauty advanced races governing classes" (Darlington, 1961; Hartocollis, 2019; part work, exploited woman called Saartjie "Sara" Baartman, Khoisan from Eastern Cape South Africa (Johnson Rolls, Baartman given her Dutch colonizers, true unknown. 1810, she taken London exhibited white Europeans using stage "Hottentot Venus." She displayed animal, freak nature "exhibited like wild beast; being obliged walk, stand, or sit [her keeper] ordered her" due physical features Black (Schiebinger, 2013). later sold France again put public display before died 1815 at age 26 Before Baartman's death, subjected countless examinations opposed, report "Extract Observations Made Corpse Woman Known… under Venus Hottentot." After took over days dissect corpse report, suggested well looked her, mistaken equals, labeling them "almost entirely savage" those "infest certain parts colony" Much content presented autopsy characterized whose humanity worth acknowledging honoring considered African descent inhuman, inferior, unworthy same respect There quotations too horrific demeaning include but refer readers analysis Johnson Rolls (2023) full account. preserved body, brain genitalia, Musée de l'Homme Paris until 1970s. Her remains returned 2002, where finally buried (Daley, 2002). Considering sexism, believe continued perpetuates harm inflicted Sara continues women, general. Marine Mammalogy Diversity Inclusion Statement recognizes "the field only strengthened participation representing ages, career stages, professional status, races, national, cultural, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities." To act statement, discontinue more broadly, follow reconsider species. encourage read committee readings listed below. Finally, colleagues around world engage diverse scholars varying backgrounds generate reflect attributes each their distribution, morphology, behavior. want inclusive space everyone, especially been historically marginalized. do so, must rectifying carries. Ashley D. Rogers: Conceptualization; writing – draft; review editing. Andrew Read: Arona Bender: Writing Anna Borroni: R. Cioffi: Brianna Elliott: Craig Harms: Anne E. Harshbarger: Ann-Marie Jacoby: Aileen Lavelle: Kathyrn Lienhard: Sydney Mantell: A. McLellan: Greg Merrill: Ann Pabst: Keith Rittmaster: Massimiliano Rosso: Schorr: Brandon L. Southall: Zach T. Swaim: Paola Tepsich: Vicky G. Thayer: Kim W. Urian: Danielle M. Waples: Daniel Webster: Jillian Wisse: Dana Wright: thank Heather Vermeulen, Mary Derrickson McCurdy Visiting Scholar Duke University Laboratory, opening eyes inspiring call change.