Phylum Chordata Bateson, 1885 - chordates
   Subphylum Vertebrata Cuvier, 1812 - vertebrates
     Class Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758 - mammals
       Order Cetacea Brisson, 1762 - whales, dolphins, and porpoises see Infraorder Cetacea Brisson, 1762
         Suborder Odontoceti Flower, 1867 - toothed whales see Parvorder Odontoceti Flower, 1867
           Family Ziphiidae Gray, 1850 - beaked whales
             Genus Mesoplodon Gervais, 1850 - beaked whales
               Mesoplodon hectori (Gray, 1871) - Hector's beaked whale