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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Molecular studies on two variant repeat types of the common cetacean DNA satellite of the sperm whale, and the relationship between Physeteridae (sperm whales) and Ziphiidae (beaked whales).

In the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) two different repeat types (A and B) of the common cetacean DNA satellite were identified. The evolution of each group of repeats appears to be independent from that of the other. The sequence similarity between the two groups is less than the similarity between group A and repeats of the satellite in related whale species. The systematic relationship within and between the families Physeteridae (sperm whales) and Ziphiidae (beaked whales) was addressed by both sequence analysis of the satellite and comparisons with the families Delphinidae and Phocoenidae. The mysticete blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) was used as an outgroup in the comparisons. The molecular phylogeny, when maximum-parsimony analysis and the neighbor-joining method were used, grouped together species of each family. At the family level the ziphiids grouped closet to the families Phocoenidae and Delphinidae. The similarities between the common cetacean satellite of the blue whale and the sperm whale were greater than those between the blue whale and the other odontocetes included, suggesting that the evolution of the satellite is slower in the sperm whale than in the other odontocetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Molecular identification of hybrids between the two largest whale species, the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and the fin whale (B. physalus).

Three anomalous balaenopterid whales, one pregnant female and two sterile males, were investigated by applying molecular approaches in order to establish their identity. The analysis showed that the whales were species hybrids between the blue and the fin whales. The female and one of the males had a blue whale mother and a fin whale father. The other male had a fin whale mother and a blue whale father. The difference between the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of the two species suggests that they separated greater than or equal to 3.5 million years ago. The sequences of the mitochondrial control region of the blue and the fin whales differ by 7%. The difference in the mtDNA control region between three blue whale mtDNA haplotypes was less than or equal to 1%, about one tenth of the difference between the two species.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Cetacean mitochondrial DNA control region: sequences of all extant baleen whales and two sperm whale species.

The sequence of the mitochondrial control region was determined in all 10 extant species commonly assigned to the suborder Mysticeti (baleen or whalebone whales) and to two odontocete (toothed whale) species (the sperm and the pygmy sperm whale). In the mysticetes, both the length and the sequence of the control region were very similar, with differences occurring primarily in the first approximately 160 bp of the 5' end of the L-strand of the region. There were marked differences between the mysticete and sperm whale sequences and also between the two sperm whales. The control region, less its variable portion, was used in a comparison including the 10 mysticete sequences plus the same region of an Antarctic minke whale specimen and the two sperm whales. The difference between the minke whales from the North Atlantic and the Antarctic was greater than that between any acknowledged species belonging to the same genus (Balaenoptera). The difference was similar to that between the families Balaenopteridae (rorquals) and Eschrichtiidae (gray whales). The findings suggest that the Antarctic minke whale should have a full species status, B. bonaerensis. Parsimony analysis separated the bowhead and the right whale (family Balaenidae) from all remaining mysticetes, including the pygmy right whale. The pygmy right whale is usually included in family Balaenidae. The analysis revealed a close relationship between the gray whale (family Eschrichtiidae) sequence and those of the rorquals (family Balaenopteridae). The gray whale was included in a clade together with the sei, Bryde's, fin, blue, and humpback whales. This clade was separated from the two minke whale types, which branched together.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Acoustic interaction of humpback whales and whale-watching boats.

The underwater acoustic noise of five representative whale-watching boats used in the waters of west Maui was measured in order to study the effects of boat noise on humpback whales. The first set of measurements were performed on 9 and 10 March, close to the peak of the whale season. The ambient noise was relatively high with the major contribution from many chorusing humpback whales. Measurements of boat sounds were contaminated by this high ambient background noise. A second set of measurements was performed on 28 and 29 April, towards the end of the humpback whale season. In both sets of measurements, two of the boats were inflatables with outboard engines, two were larger coastal boats with twin inboard diesel engines and the fifth was a small water plane area twin hull (SWATH) ship with inter-island cruise capabilities. The inflatable boats with outboard engines produced very complex sounds with many bands of tonal-like components. The boats with inboard engines produced less intense sounds with fewer tonal bands. One-third octave band measurements of ambient noise measured on 9 March indicated a maximum sound pressure level of about 123 dB re 1 microPa at 315 Hz. The maximum sound pressure level of 127 dB at 315 Hz was measured for the SWATH ship. One of the boats with outboard engines produced sounds between 2 and 4 kHz that were about 8-10 dB greater than the level of background humpback whale sounds at the peak of the whale season. We concluded that it is unlikely that the levels of sounds produced by the boats in our study would have any grave effects on the auditory system of humpback whales.

Acoustics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Species hybridization between a female blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and a male fin whale (B. physalus): molecular and morphological documentation.

In 1986 a large, pregnant, female balaenopterid whale was caught in Icelandic waters. The animal had morphological characteristics of both the blue and the fin whale. Molecular analyses of the whale showed that it was a hybrid between a female blue whale and a male fin whale. The descent of the species hybrid was established without access to either parental specimen. Analysis of the fetus showed that it had a blue whale father. The present report of species hybridization between the two largest cetacean species, the blue and the fin whale, documents the occurrence of cetacean species hybridization in the wild. It is also the first example of any cetacean hybridization giving rise to a fertile offspring.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Mirror image processing in three marine mammal species: killer whales (Orcinus orca), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and their relatives might be expected to show mirror-induced contingency checking, a prerequisite to self-recognition, because of their high brain development, their complex social life and their demonstrated abilities in bodily imitation. A study of killer whales'(Orcinus orca) behaviour in front of a mirror is presented, including a mark test. Shorter investigations of mirror behaviour are also described in false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Contingency checking was present in killer whales and possibly also in false killer whales, but no clear contingency checking was observed in sea lions. The mark test on killer whales suggested that the marked animal anticipated that its image would look different. This study shows that killer whales and false killer whales, like bottlenose dolphins, appear to possess the cognitive abilities required for self-recognition.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2025

Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Eden's Whale Clarifies the Taxonomy and Speciation of Bryde's Whale Complex.

Eden's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), a poorly understood baleen cetacean, has long been shrouded in taxonomic ambiguity due to limited genomic resources, obscuring its distinction from closely related species and its position within the cetacean Tree of Life. In this paper, we present a high-quality chromosomal-level genome of B. edeni and conduct comparative genomic analyses to address long-standing taxonomic confusion and elucidate speciation of balaenopterids. Our phylogenomic analysis and demographic reconstruction reveal that B. edeni is a distinct sister to Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei), sharing a common ancestor that diverged approximately 7.84 million years ago during the late Miocene. Their genetic divergence exceeds typical intraspecific variation in whales, supporting the reinstatement of B. brydei as a valid species. Chromosomal syntenic analyses suggest that macro-fragment inversions contributed to speciation in balaenopterid whales and uncover unexpected large-scale complex genome rearrangements in Bryde's whale, offering novel insights into cetacean genome evolution. Functional enrichment analysis of inverted regions between B. edeni and Balaenoptera musculus indicates their predominant association with metabolism and biosynthesis, as well as responses to various substances, stress, and stimuli. These genomic resources for B. edeni not only lay a critical foundation for comparative genetic and evolutionary research of cetaceans but also advance our understanding of the taxonomy and evolutionary dynamics of the Bryde's whale complex, with broader implications for baleen whale conservation and biodiversity.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Whales before whaling in the North Atlantic.

It is well known that hunting dramatically reduced all baleen whale populations, yet reliable estimates of former whale abundances are elusive. Based on coalescent models for mitochondrial DNA sequence variation, the genetic diversity of North Atlantic whales suggests population sizes of approximately 240,000 humpback, 360,000 fin, and 265,000 minke whales. Estimates for fin and humpback whales are far greater than those previously calculated for prewhaling populations and 6 to 20 times higher than present-day population estimates. Such discrepancies suggest the need for a quantitative reevaluation of historical whale populations and a fundamental revision in our conception of the natural state of the oceans.

Animals↗
PubMed1966

Studies on myoglobin from the finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Preparation, physicochemical and immunochemical characterization, differentiation from sperm-whale myoglobin, amino acid composition and end-terminal analyses.

1. Crystalline myoglobin was isolated from the skeletal muscle of the finback whale and fractionated, in its cyanmet form, into nine components (I-IX) by chromatography on CM-cellulose. Also in the cyanmet form, it was resolved into six components by electrophoresis on starch gel. Correspondence between the electrophoretic and chromatographic components was determined, and interconversion between components revealed by chromatography and electrophoresis. 2. The chromatographic myoglobin components were homogeneous in the ultra-centrifuge. Molecular weights of certain components were determined by means of sedimentation equilibrium and by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Values from these two methods corresponded to the minimum molecular weight calculated from the iron content. 3. The spectral properties of the chromatographic components were investigated in the visible and the ultraviolet ranges. 4. The major components of finback-whale myoglobin and sperm-whale myoglobin showed almost identical spectral, electrophoretic and chromatographic behaviours, but had different infrared spectra. The infrared spectra of the corresponding apoproteins were almost identical. 5. Rabbit antisera to sperm-whale myoglobin component X cross-reacted with finback-whale myoglobin components V, VI and VII only about 30%. 6. The major chromatographic components of finback-whale myoglobin have identical amino acid compositions. The polypeptide chain contains 151 amino acid residues and its molecular weight is 17504. 7. The N-terminal end of the chain is: [Formula: see text] Amino acids released from myoglobin by the action of carboxypeptidase A at different intervals were determined.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2000

History of polar whaling: insights into the physiology of the great whales.

The sheer size and pelagic nature of the great whales has effectively precluded detailed studies of most of their physiological processes. The vast majority of all data for these species have come from anatomical studies conducted on specimens that were caught in commercial and native whaling operations. In both the polar regions, an incredible number of whales were hunted, but anatomical studies were not usually conducted until relatively recent times. However, the anatomical data that do exist provide a valuable insight into some of the physiological demands placed on the animals by their marine habitat. These include information on blubber and nutrition; baleen and feeding ecology; contaminant chemistry and tissue samples; diving chemistry and acoustics. Taken together, these anatomical data provide the only substantial information on how these animals dive and hunt. Recent breakthroughs in chemical techniques however, are providing even greater details on function (for example, fatty acid signature methods). Coupled with advanced methods for tracking these whales at sea (acoustic and satellite), future studies should provide significant new information on the general physiology of these difficult to study species.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1989

Propulsion of a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus): why the fin whale is a fast swimmer.

Measurements of an immature fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), which died as a result of entrapment in fishing gear near Frenchmans Cove, Newfoundland (47 degrees 9' N, 55 degrees 25' W), were made to obtain estimates of volume and surface area of the animal. Detailed measurements of the flukes, both planform and sections, were also obtained. A strip theory was developed to calculate the hydrodynamic performance of the whale's flukes as an oscillating propeller. This method is based on linear, two-dimensional, small-amplitude, unsteady hydrofoil theory with correction factors used to account for the effects of finite span and finite amplitude motion. These correction factors were developed from theoretical results of large-amplitude heaving motion and unsteady lifting-surface theory. A model that makes an estimate of the effects of viscous flow on propeller performance was superimposed on the potential-flow results. This model estimates the drag of the hydrofoil sections by assuming that the drag is similar to that of a hydrofoil section in steady flow. The performance characteristics of the flukes of the fin whale were estimated by using this method. The effects of the different correction factors, and of the frictional drag of the fluke sections, are emphasized. Frictional effects in particular were found to reduce the hydrodynamic efficiency of the flukes significantly. The results are discussed and compared with the known characteristics of fin-whale swimming.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Detection of whale calls in noise: performance comparison between a beluga whale, human listeners, and a neural network.

This article examines the masking by anthropogenic noise of beluga whale calls. Results from human masking experiments and a software backpropagation neural network are compared to the performance of a trained beluga whale. The goal was to find an accurate, reliable, and fast model to replace lengthy and expensive animal experiments. A beluga call was masked by three types of noise, an icebreaker's bubbler system and propeller noise, and ambient arctic ice-cracking noise. Both the human experiment and the neural network successfully modeled the beluga data in the sense that they classified the noises in the same order from strongest to weakest masking as the whale and with similar call-detection thresholds. The neural network slightly outperformed the humans. Both models were then used to predict the masking of a fourth type of noise, Gaussian white noise. Their prediction ability was judged by returning to the aquarium to measure masked-hearing thresholds of a beluga in white noise. Both models and the whale identified bubbler noise as the strongest masker, followed by ramming, then white noise. Natural ice-cracking noise masked the least. However, the humans and the neural network slightly overpredicted the amount of masking for white noise. This is neglecting individual variation in belugas, because only one animal could be trained. Comparing the human model to the neural network model, the latter has the advantage of objectivity, reproducibility of results, and efficiency, particularly if the interference of a large number of signals and noise is to be examined.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

In vitro metabolism of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners by beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) and pilot whale (Globicephala melas) and relationship to cytochrome P450 expression.

We measured rates of oxidative metabolism of two tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) congeners by hepatic microsomes of two marine mammal species, beluga whale and pilot whale, as related to content of selected cytochrome P450 (CYP) forms. Beluga liver microsomes oxidized 3,3',4,4'-TCB at rates averaging 21 and 5 pmol/min per mg for males and females, respectively, while pilot whale samples oxidized this congener at 0.3 pmol/min per mg or less. However, rates of 3,3',4,4'-TCB metabolism correlated with immunodetected CYP1A1 protein content in liver microsomes of both species. The CYP1A inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone inhibited 3,3',4,4'-TCB metabolism by 40% in beluga, supporting a role for a cetacean CYP1A as a catalyst of this activity. Major metabolites of 3,3',4,4'-TCB generated by beluga liver microsomes were 4-OH-3,3',4',5-TCB and 5-OH-3,3',4,4'-TCB (98% of total), similar to metabolites formed by other species CYP1A1, and suggesting a 4,5-epoxide-TCB intermediate. Liver microsomes of both species metabolized 2,2',5,5'-TCB at rates of 0.2-1.5 pmol/min per mg. Both species also expressed microsomal proteins cross-reactive with antibodies raised against some mammalian CYP2Bs (rabbit; dog), but not others (rat; scup). Whether CYP2B homologues occur and function in cetaceans is uncertain. This study demonstrates that PCBs are metabolized to aqueous-soluble products by cetacean liver enzymes, and that in beluga, rates of metabolism of 3,3',4,4'-TCB are substantially greater than those of 2,2',5,5'-TCB. These directly measured rates generally support the view that PCB metabolism plays a role in shaping the distribution patterns of PCB residues found in cetacean tissue.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Killing times of minke whales in the Norwegian coastal whaling in the 1981 and 1982 seasons.

During the whaling seasons of 1981 and 1982 16 inspectors were on the whaling grounds to collect data about weapons and equipment, shooting facilities, hitting areas, reaction to hits, tissue and organ damage and killing times. The inspectors were instructed to confirm the criteria of death by personal observation before reading the time. Consequently the recorded times are appreciably longer than real killing time for a number of whales. The average killing time according to this method was 11 min 50 sec in the 1981 season and 12 min 40 sec in the 1982 season (Table I). 22.4% and 21.8% died instantaneously in the two seasons. Hitting the CNS or the heart was most effective. Hits in the abdominal cavity or the musculature prolonged the killing times considerably.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Neural and muscular control functions of the gut in odontocetes: morphologic evidence in beaked whales and beluga whales.

The present data provide some new and unique, gastrointestinal morphologic findings in two species of toothed whales, the Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and the beluga or white whale (Delphinapterus leucas), which are discussed relative to their atypical feeding behavior and alimentary tract functions. Specifically, the findings show myenteric neural modifications and muscularis externa structural specializations which may support voluntary and involuntary fore- and hindgut behavior. Histologic evidence of intercalation-like striations in the gastric and colonic musculature was discovered, as well as an unusual massive size of the colonic myenteric plexuses. These observations, which are not evident in terrestrial mammalian gastrointestinal tracts, may help explain the unusual upper gastrointestinal tract motility such as ingestion-by-sucking in the absence of prehensile teeth and processing of ingesta in a multi-compartmentalized pyloric stomach. Further, the hindgut modifications may help explain the animal's acute, rectal discharge escape mechanism, likened to squid inking, which seems to be an evolved function of some cetaceans.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Distribution of sequence differences in influenza N9 neuraminidase of tern and whale viruses and crystallization of the whale neuraminidase complexed with antibodies.

Neuraminidase genes from A/tern/Australia/G70C/75 (H11N9) and A/whale/Maine/1/84 (H13N9) influenza viruses have been sequenced. Seventy-two nucleotide changes were found, 17 of which result in changes in the amino acid sequence of the neuraminidase; 3 in the stalk region and 14 in the heads. To our surprise, all of the sequence changes in the head region are located on the base of the neuraminidase tetramer, resulting in conservation of antigenic sites on top of the neuraminidase which vary extensively in human influenza virus neuraminidase. Whale N9 neuraminidase, like tern N9 neuraminidase, possesses high levels of hemagglutinating activity but, unlike the tern neuraminidase, failed to form large well-ordered crystals. However, when the neuraminidase was complexed with Fab fragments of monoclonal antibodies, which were made against the tern N9 neuraminidase, large crystals of the complexes were obtained which diffract X-rays to beyond 3 A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗