Sperm whale

About: Sperm whale is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 978 publications have been published within this topic receiving 26234 citations. The topic is also known as: cachalot & sperm whale.

Collisions between ships and whales

Abstract: Although collisions with motorized ships are a recognized source of whale mortality, little has been done to compile information on the frequency of their occurrence or contributing factors. We searched historical records and computerized stranding databases for evidence of ship strikes involving great whales (i.e., baleen whales and the sperm whale). Historical records suggest that ship strikes fatal to whales first occurred late in the 1800s as ships began to reach speeds of 13-15 kn, remained infrequent until about 1950, and then increased during the 1950s-1970s as the number and speed of ships in­ creased. Of 11 species known to be hit by ships, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are struck most frequently; right whales (Eubalae1la glacialis and E. allStralis), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm whales (Physeter catodon), and gray whales (Eschrichtius robustllS) are hit commonly. In some areas, one-third of all fin whale and right whale strandings appear to involve ship strikes. To assess contributing factors, we compiled descriptions of 58 collisions. They indicate that all sizes and types of vessels can hit whales;

Sperm Whales: Social Evolution in the Ocean

Abstract: Famed in story as "the great leviathans" sperm whales are truly creatures of extremes. Giants among all whales, they also have the largest brains of any creature on Earth. Males can reach a length of 62 feet and can weigh upwards of 50 tons. With this book, Hal Whitehead gives us a clearer picture of the ecology and social life of sperm whales than we have ever had before. Based on almost two decades of field research, Whitehead describes sperm whale biology, behaviour and habitat; how they organize their societies; and how their complex lifestyles may have evolved in this unique environment. Among the many fascinating topics he explores is the crucial role that culture plays in the life of the sperm whale, and he traces the consequences of this argument for both evolution and conservation. Finally, drawing on these findings, Whitehead builds a general model of how the ocean environment influences social behaviour and cultural evolution among mammals as well as other animals. The definitive portrait of a provocative creature "sperm whales" should interest animal behaviourists, conservationists, ecologists and evolutionary biologists as well as marine mammalogists.

High-level expression of sperm whale myoglobin in Escherichia coli

Abstract: Sperm whale myoglobin was expressed in Escherichia coli from a totally synthetic gene inserted in the expression vector pUC19. The gene was constructed as 23 overlapping oligonucleotides encoding both strands of the DNA. Gene synthesis provides several advantages over traditional eukaryotic gene-cloning techniques, allowing the incorporation of an efficient ribosome binding site, appropriate initiation and termination sequences, restriction enzyme sites for convenient subcloning and future mutagenesis, and frequently used codons for highly expressed E. coli genes. The sperm whale myoglobin expressed from the synthetic gene constituted approximately 10% of the total soluble protein as holo-protein, indicating that iron-protoporphyrin IX biosynthesis and prosthetic-group incorporation are not limiting in the high-level expression of this heme protein in E. coli. We credit the use of frequently used E. coli codons for the observed high-level expression. The sperm whale myoglobin produced is stable, easily purified to homogeneity, and indistinguishable from commercially available sperm whale myoglobin by optical and magnetic spectroscopic methods.

Cetacean distribution related with depth and slope in the Mediterranean waters off southern Spain

Abstract: The northeastern section of the Alboran Sea is currently under consideration as a Special Area for Conservation under the European Union's Habitat Directive. Within this framework, the present study focuses on the distribution of cetaceans in this area and is part of the Spanish Ministry of the Environment's “Program for the Identification of Areas of Special Interest for the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Spanish Mediterranean”. Shipboard visual surveys were conducted in 1992 and from 1995 to 2001 in the north-eastern Alboran Sea, covering 14,409 km. A total of 1,134 sightings of cetaceans were made. From the data collected, the distribution of seven species of odontocete was examined with respect to two physiographic variables, water depth and slope. Analyses of χ 2 and fitting of GLMs demonstrated significant differences in distribution for all species, mainly with respect to depth. Kruskal–Wallis tests, factor analysis and discriminant function analysis showed that the species could be classified in two major groups, shallow-waters (short-beaked common dolphin and bottlenose dolphin) and deep-waters (striped dolphin, Risso's dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, sperm whale and beaked whale), respectively. Preferred habitats in terms of water depth were areas deeper than 600 m for the deep-water group, and the shallower ranges from shore to 400 m for the other. The distribution of cetaceans was further matched with that of their most common prey in order to establish which habitats could be considered important for their feeding. The resulting analysis highlighted two areas in the region as important habitats for the conservation of the most vulnerable species in the Mediterranean, the bottlenose and the common dolphin.