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PubMed2006

A new species of Osedax (Annelida: Siboglinidae) associated with whale carcasses off Kyushu, Japan.

A new whale-bone-eating polychaete species of the genus Osedax was found on sperm whale carcasses submerged off Cape Nomamisaki, Kyushu, Japan, at a depth of approximately 200 m. The new species, Osedax japonicus, is the fourth known species of the genus Osedax and the first species from the western Pacific. Female O. japonicus specimens (1) form dense clusters on whale carcasses; (2) have a body composed of crown, trunk, and root structure; (3) lack a digestive tract; and (4) have bacterium-like particles in the tissue of the root structure. Osedax japonicus shares all these characteristics with O. rubiplumus and O. frankpressi, and items (1) to (3) with O. mucofloris. Osedax japonicus is easily distinguished from the other three known species by oviduct morphology, body length, and palp coloration in females. No males of O. japonicus have yet been found.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Microscopic, biochemical, and molecular characteristics of the Chilean Blob and a comparison with the remains of other sea monsters: nothing but whales.

We have employed electron microscopic, biochemical, and molecular techniques to clarify the species of origin of the "Chilean Blob," the remains of a large sea creature that beached on the Chilean coast in July 2003. Electron microscopy revealed that the remains are largely composed of an acellular, fibrous network reminiscent of the collagen fiber network in whale blubber. Amino acid analyses of an acid hydrolysate indicated that the fibers are composed of 31% glycine residues and also contain hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, all diagnostic of collagen. Using primers designed to the mitochondrial gene nad2, an 800-bp product of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was amplified from DNA that had been purified from the carcass. The DNA sequence of the PCR product was 100% identical to nad2 of sperm whale (Physeter catadon). These results unequivocally demonstrate that the Chilean Blob is the almost completely decomposed remains of the blubber layer of a sperm whale. This identification is the same as those we have obtained before from other relics such as the so-called giant octopus of St. Augustine (Florida), the Tasmanian West Coast Monster, two Bermuda Blobs, and the Nantucket Blob. It is clear now that all of these blobs of popular and cryptozoological interest are, in fact, the decomposed remains of large cetaceans.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1981

Genetic control of the immune response to myoglobin. V. Analysis of the cross-reactivity of 12 myoglobins with sperm-whale myoglobin antisera of inbred mouse strains in terms of substitutions in the antigenic sites and in the environmental residues of the sites.

The determination of the entire antigenic structure of myoglobin has made it possible to focus attention on the molecular factors controlling and influencing immune recognition. Recently, using antisera raised against sperm-whale myoglobin (Mb) in six different host species and investigating their reactions with Mb from 15 species, we showed that the binding capacity of an antigenic site is influenced by substitutions within site residues as well as within the residues close (within 6.0 å) to the sites. Based on these effects it was possible to correlate, at least in qualitative terms, the expected effects of the substitutions in each Mb and its observed cross-reaction with antisera to sperm-whale Mb. In the present work, these correlations were tested using sperm-whale Mb antibodies raised in four inbred mouse strains and in which the amount of antibodies directed to each antigenic site was determined. The amounts of 125I-labelled antibodies that could be bound maximally be each of 12 Mb variants were determined. Because of genetic control, the response to some antigenic sites was not expressed and therefore permitted us to evaluate with a good degree of confidence the effects of amino acid replacements in various myoglobins upon the reactivity of the sites. The values of cross-reaction expected for each Mb variant from these considerations agreed well with the values found experimentally. The results confirm unambiguously that the major factors affecting the cross-reactions of proteins can be attributed to substitutions within the sites and within environmental residues of the sites.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

The adaptation of milk secretion to the constraints of fasting in bears, seals, and baleen whales.

Although lactation is accompanied by increased nutrient demands for milk synthesis, many species of bears, true seals, and baleen whales fast for much or all of lactation. Large body mass in these species confers the advantage of greater stores of fat and protein relative to rates of milk production. Given the constraints on substrate availability during fasting, the milks of fasting mammals are predicted to be low in carbohydrate, protein, and water and to be high in fat. The milks of bears, true seals, and baleen whales conform to this prediction. Mammals that lactate while fasting may lose up to 40% of initial BW. The production of milk entails the export of up to one-third of body fat and 15% of body protein in the dormant black bear and in several seal species, which greatly depletes maternal resources and may represent a physiological threshold, because higher protein and fat outputs have only been measured in species that start feeding. The low K:Na ratio of seal and whale milks and the low Ca:casein and inverse Ca:P ratios in seal milks are unusual and warrant further study.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2000

Prey, parasites and pathology associated with the mortality of a juvenile gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded along the northern California coast.

An eastern Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded off Pelican Point, Tomales Bay, California, USA, was examined for physiological parameters, prey, parasites and associated pathology. The whale was emaciated, and hematological examination revealed an elevation in hematocrit, serum sodium, potassium, electrolyte values and hypoglycemia. Parasites recovered included 5 species, 1 ectoparasite (Cyamus scammoni), and 4 helminths (Anisakis simplex, Ogmogaster antarcticus, Ogmogaster pentalineatus, Bolbosoma balanae) with the latter causing multifocal transmural abscesses. Histological examination indicated severe acute lung congestion, minimal, multifocal, lymphocytic, interstitial myocarditis, and mild hepatocellular and Kupffer cell hemosiderosis. The prey taxa present in the stomach indicated the whale was feeding on hard bottom communities prior to death.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Essential and non-essential elements in eight tissue types from subsistence-hunted bowhead whale: nutritional and toxicological assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To assess essential/non-essential elements in bowhead whale. STUDY DESIGN: Analyzes of tissues for key elements and comparing them to published food guidelines. METHODS: Using national and international guidelines calculate percent (%) "Recommended Daily Allowance" of essential elements in 100 g portion of bowhead tissues. For non-essential elements, determine maximal tissue consumption based on average element concentrations and provisional tolerable weekly intake; and minimal risk level. RESULTS: Liver and kidney are rich in essential/non-essential elements and have the greatest concentration of cadmium (Cd) among tissues studied, while mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) are relatively low. Kidney of bowhead whale is consumed in very limited amounts (limited tissue mass compared to muscle and maktak); liver is consumed rarely. Other tissues, except blubber, are excellent sources of many essential elements, without the abundance of liver and kidney Cd. CONCLUSIONS: Renal Cd concentrations are most restrictive for consumption on a tissue mass basis. Better understanding of Cd bioavailability, food processing, and actual consumption rates and patterns, are critical to providing improved guidance. Compared to store-bought meat, bowhead whale had comparable concentrations of elements in the tissues studied, with a few noted differences. The occasional blubber substitute, Crisco, was nearly devoid of trace element content.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1983

Hematology and clinical chemistry values in the killer whale, Orcinus orca L.

Clinical hematology and blood chemistry values are reported for the killer whale. These represent a panel of 13 hematological and 21 serum chemistry measurements determined on killer whales maintained for display at Sea World facilities. The values have been collected over a 10-yr period from 14 active, clinically normal individuals, six males and eight females. The cumulative normal values for each of these animals fall into well-defined clusters from which central tendencies and the range of values can be established. No significant male-female differences were observed for any measurement. There were consistent differences among the killer whales in hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell count. A decrease in total white blood cell counts was associated with age and/or changes in parasite loads. Younger animals exhibited higher glucose levels and lower total protein levels. Serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were elevated in older and larger males. Lactic dehydrogenase activity was lower in all animals of Pacific origin, as compared to animals from the Atlantic, regardless of age or sex. These "normal" differences emphasize the importance of establishing an animal's individual hematologic and blood chemistry profile by routine sampling.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Serum chemistry of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus).

Sera of 19 male and female bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) collected near Barrow, Alaska (USA) between 30 August and 13 October 1992 were evaluated for 18 serum chemistry values. Male bowhead whales had significantly greater creatinine and sodium concentrations, and significantly lower glucose concentrations than females. Pregnant females had greater triglyceride levels than non-pregnant females. The mean concentrations of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, and calcium were similar to those previously reported from bowhead whales. High aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine kinase levels were attributed to muscle damage associated with harpooning.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Serum chemistry of the minke whale from the northeastern Atlantic.

Serum samples were collected from 42 harpooned minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during commercial whaling off the coast of northern Norway (1997 and 1998) and analyzed for serum chemistry parameters in order to find clinical reference values for the northeastern Atlantic stock of this species. Mean and median values, as well as standard deviation and 90% central range, are presented for 28 different serum chemistry parameters. Lipemia is a common finding in marine mammals such as the minke whale, and chemical analysis of lipemic serum samples may produce artifacts. We found statistically significant elevated values of total protein, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), sodium and chloride in strongly-lipemic compared to non-lipemic samples, all which may be artifacts due to interference of lipids with the methods used for analysis. In addition, we found significantly elevated levels of creatin kinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, uric acid and triglycerides, as well as a decrease in creatinine in the strongly lipemic samples. Reanalyzing serum samples after twelve mo storage at -20 C (n = 13) revealed reduction in the serum concentration of the enzymes ALT (42%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; 10%), LDH (19%), gamma glutamyl transferase (17%) and amylase (11%), as well as for triglycerides (9%) and non-esterified fatty acids (16%). It is crucial that serum chemistry analysis is performed without delay after sampling. Possible changes in the values of some parameters due to the presence of high amounts of lipids or long term storage of samples must be considered when interpreting results from serum chemistry analysis in these animals.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed2005

Spondylitic changes in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) stranded on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, between 1982 and 2000.

The primary bone pathology diagnoses recognized in cetacea are osteomyelitis and spondylosis deformans. In this study, we determined the prevalence, type, and severity of vertebral pathology in 52 pilot whales, a mass stranding species that stranded on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, between 1982 and 2000. Eleven whales (21%) had hyperostosis and ossification of tendon insertion points on and between vertebrae, chevron bones, and costovertebral joints, with multiple fused blocks of vertebrae. These lesions are typical of a group of interrelated diseases described in humans as spondyloarthropathies, specifically ankylosing spondylitis, which has not been fully described in cetacea. In severe cases, ankylosing spondylitis in humans can inhibit mobility. If the lesions described here negatively affect the overall health of the whale, these lesions may be a contributing factor in stranding of this highly sociable species.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

[Histologic studies of cartilaginous structures in the anterior region of the head of the sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus].

Recently discovered cartilaginous structures in the forehead of the sperm whale (Behrmann and Klima 1985) were investigated histologically. The largest and most important of these structures is the nasal roof cartilage which can be derived from the tectum nasi, a part of the embryonic nasal capsule (Klima et al. 1986). In the investigated sperm whale fetuses, this structure consists of embryonic hyaline cartilage which is well suited for morphogenetic processes and fast growth. In the investigated adult sperm whale, the originally hyaline cartilage has been transformed into a special kind of elastic cartilage. The arrangement of cells, territories, and extracellular substance resembles hyaline cartilage. This component represents an adaptation to pressure load. The appearance and arrangement of elastic fibres resembles elastic cartilage. This component is an adaptation to distortion forces. Obviously, pressure and distortion are the strongest mechanical strains that the nasal roof cartilage is exposed. We see the function of this cartilage structure therein that, being a pressure-elastic skeletal support and following the left nasal meatus along its whole extension through the massive and soft forehead, it secures the only direct respiratory passage. Additionally, fibre bundles of transversely striated muscles are anchored in the perichondrium of the nasal roof cartilage. The function of this delicately interwoven muscle system is seen by us in the fine tuning of contraction and dilatation of the respiratory passage. Moreover, a possible function as a sound conducting cartilaginous structure serving the echolocation system is considered (c.f. Pilleri et al. 1983).

Animals↗

PubMed1988

The myoglobin protein radical. Coupling of Tyr-103 to Tyr-151 in the H2O2-mediated cross-linking of sperm whale myoglobin.

Sperm whale metmyoglobin, which has tyrosine residues at positions 103, 146, and 151, dimerizes in the presence of H2O2. Equine metmyoglobin, which lacks Tyr-151, and red kangaroo metmyoglobin, which lacks Tyr-103 and Tyr-151, do not dimerize in the presence of H2O2. The dityrosine content of the sperm whale myoglobin dimer shows that it is primarily held together by dityrosine cross-links, although more tyrosine residues are lost than are accounted for by dityrosine formation. Digestion of the myoglobin dimer with chymotrypsin yields a peptide with the fluorescence spectrum of dityrosine. The amino acid composition, amino acid sequence, and mass spectrum of the peptide show that cross-linking involves covalent bond formation between Tyr-103 of one myoglobin chain and Tyr-151 of the other. Replacement of the prosthetic group of sperm whale myoglobin with zinc protoporphyrin IX prevents H2O2-induced dimerization even when intact horse metmyoglobin is present in the incubation. This suggests that the tyrosine radicals required for the dimerization reaction are generated by intra- rather than intermolecular electron transfer to the ferryl heme. Rapid electron transfer from Tyr-103 to the ferryl heme followed by slower electron transfer from Tyr-151 to Tyr-103 is most consistent with the present results.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Stimulation of thyroid hormone secretion by thyrotropin in beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas.

Bovine thyroid stimulating hormone administered to three beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, was effective in producing an increase in circulating levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine. A single dose of 10 I.U. of thyroid stimulating hormone resulted in a 145% increase in triiodothyronine and a 35% increase in thyroxine after nine hours in a whale tested within two hours after capture. The response was less pronounced in an animal tested with the same does on two occasions after four and eight weeks in captivity. In the third whale, 10 I.U. of thyroid stimulating hormone given on each of three consecutive days produced a marked increase in triiodothyronine and thyroxine. The elevation of thyroxine concentration persisted for at least two days after the last injection of thyroid stimulating hormone. A subsequent decrease in thyroxine to levels below baseline signalled the suppression of endogenous thyroid stimulating hormone. This preliminary study helps to establish a protocol for testing thyroid function in cetaceans.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Antigenic structure of sperm whale myoglobin. I. Partition of specificities between antibodies reactive with peptides and native protein.

We have resolved anti-sperm whale Mb antibodies into two distinct populations: One population is reactive only with the native molecule, and the second is reaction with both Mb and peptide fragments. CNBr cleavage of sperm whale Mb yields three peptides: peptide I (1-55), peptide II (56-131), and peptide III (132-153). Immunoadsorbent columns made with these three peptides were used to fractionate antibody to sperm whale Mb. These columns cumulatively bind 60 to 70% of the total antibody present in the four sera studied (the amount of antibody bound by each peptide was proportional to its size). The remaining 30 to 40% of antibody could only bind specifically to an immunoadsorbent column of native Mb. This result indicates that not all antigenic determinants on the native Mb molecule are represented on peptide fragments.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Monitoring of progesterone in captive female false killer whales, Pseudorca crassidens.

The present study describes progesterone profiles to enhance understanding of general reproductive patterns in three female captive false killer whales and analyzes potential relationships in progesterone concentrations between plasma, salivary, and ocular secretions. Plasma progesterone concentrations reflected ovarian activity for most of the year, with increased concentrations in the spring and summer, indicating that the two adult female false killer whales were spontaneous ovulators and seasonally polyestrus. Elevated progesterone concentrations were determined at intervals, for up to 10 consecutive months, in one female. There were also varying periods of no apparent ovarian activity from 3 to 10 consecutive months. Correlation coefficients between progesterone concentrations in plasma, salivary, and ocular secretions ranged between -0.23 and 0.16. It is concluded that blood collection should not be replaced by salivary or ocular secretion collection for the measurement of progesterone in the false killer whale.

Aging↗

PubMed1998

Organochlorine contaminants in northeast Atlantic minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata).

Blubber samples of 72 minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) were obtained from the northeast Atlantic in July and August 1992, and evaluated for organochlorine contamination. The following organochlorines were determined: the industrial chemicals PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and the organochlorine pesticides DDTs (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes), HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexaneb), HCB (hexachlorobenzene) and CHLs (chlordanes). The concentrations of SigmaPCB (sum of concentrations of 18 PCB congeners) and SigmaDDT (sum of concentrations of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDD) ranged from 0.6-20.8 and 0.5-14.8 microg g(-1) lipid weight, with mean concentrations at 3.8 and 2.5 microg g(-1) lipid weight, respectively. The mean concentrations of HCB, the chlordane metabolites oxychlordane, cis-chlordane and trans-nonachlor, and the HCH isomers (alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH) were all < 1 microg g(-1) lipid weight. Significantly higher concentrations of the three major pollutants (SigmaPCB, SigmaDDT and SigmaCHL) were found in mature males as compared to mature females and juveniles of both sexes. No such relationship was found for SigmaHCH and HCB. Stomach contents of northeast Atlantic minke whales indicate considerable heterogeneity in the diet when comparing different years, seasons and geographical areas. However, without knowing more about the minke whale migration pattern, or possible geographical segregation with age and sex, the interchemical variation of organochlorines between sampling areas may not reflect true geographical differences.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Culture in whales and dolphins.

Studies of animal culture have not normally included a consideration of cetaceans. However, with several long-term field studies now maturing, this situation should change. Animal culture is generally studied by either investigating transmission mechanisms experimentally, or observing patterns of behavioural variation in wild populations that cannot be explained by either genetic or environmental factors. Taking this second, ethnographic, approach, there is good evidence for cultural transmission in several cetacean species. However, only the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops) has been shown experimentally to possess sophisticated social learning abilities, including vocal and motor imitation; other species have not been studied. There is observational evidence for imitation and teaching in killer whales. For cetaceans and other large, wide-ranging animals, excessive reliance on experimental data for evidence of culture is not productive; we favour the ethnographic approach. The complex and stable vocal and behavioural cultures of sympatric groups of killer whales (Orcinus orca) appear to have no parallel outside humans, and represent an independent evolution of cultural faculties. The wide movements of cetaceans, the greater variability of the marine environment over large temporal scales relative to that on land, and the stable matrilineal social groups of some species are potentially important factors in the evolution of cetacean culture. There have been suggestions of gene-culture coevolution in cetaceans, and culture may be implicated in some unusual behavioural and life-history traits of whales and dolphins. We hope to stimulate discussion and research on culture in these animals.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Environment: whale-call response to masking boat noise.

Background noise can interfere with the detection and discrimination of crucial signals among members of a species. Here we investigate the vocal behaviour in the presence and absence of whale-watcher boat traffic of three social groups (pods) of killer whales (Orcinus orca) living in the nearshore waters of Washington state. We find longer call durations in the presence of boats for all three pods, but only in recent recordings made following a period of increasing boat traffic. This result indicates that these whales adjust their behaviour to compensate for anthropogenic noise once it reaches a threshold level.

Animals↗