Chapter V: Part 5

The extensive and often tedious job of preparing black and white photographs of suitable format from the vast array of black and white and color negatives and prints and from color transparencies was accomplished at the NUC Photographic Laboratory by the able team of Domingo Sanchez, Ray Krenik, Jeanne Lucas, and Alan McPhee.

George E. Lingle and John C. Moore assisted with gathering and reviewing the literature and with cataloging and screening photo materials.

The various drafts of the manuscript were typed by Linda Thomson, Margaret Alvarez, and Sandra Nolan. Sandra Peterson assisted with proofreading the later drafts.

In preparing this guide we drew freely from the literature on cetaceans of this region and supplemented it with our own observations and with unpublished notes provided by our colleagues. A partial list of materials used, each a good source of reference material on cetaceans in general or on cetaceans of the western North Atlantic in particular, is provided in the following section, "Selected Bibliography."

All of the following colleagues read all or part of the manuscript and made useful suggestions for its improvement: K.C. Balcomb, W.C. Cummings, J.G. Mead, Hideo Omura, W.F. Perrin, F.K. Rodgers, Allen N. Saltzman, D.E. Sergeant, W.A. Watkins, A.A. Wolman, and F.G. Wood.

All of the information and photographs contributed by Lois Winn were obtained under grants from the Office of Naval Research. Funds and assistance for the preparation of intermediated drafts and logistics support for all stages of preparation of this guide were provided by Biological Systems, Inc., St. Augustine, Fla.

In addition to securing funds for the preparation and publication of this guide, Paul Sund, Platforms of Opportunity Program, NMFS, Tiburon, Calif., provided continuing help and criticism.

To these and to all who use this guide to further help knowledge about the cetaceans of the western North Atlantic, we are grateful.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANDERSEN, H. T. (editor).

1969. The biology of marine mammals. Academic Press, N.Y., 511 p.

BURT, W. H.

1952. A field guide to the mammals. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston,
200 p.

CALDWELL, D. K., and M. C. CALDWELL.

1973. Marine mammals of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. _In_ J. I. Jones,
R. E. Ring, M. O. Rinkel, and R. E. Smith (editors), A summary of
knowledge of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, p. III-I-1--III-I-23.
State Univ. Syst. Fla. Inst. Oceanogr., St. Petersburg, Fla.

CALDWELL, D. K., and F. B. GOLLEY.

1965. Marine mammals from the coast of Georgia to Cape Hatteras. J.
Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 81:24-32.

CALDWELL, D. K., H. NEUHAUSER, M. C. CALDWELL, and H. W. COOLIDGE.

1971. Recent records of marine mammals from the coasts of Georgia
and South Carolina. Cetology 5:1-12.

FRASER, F. C.
1937. Whales and dolphins. _In_ J. R. Norman and F. C. Fraser, Giant
fishes, whales and dolphins, p. 201-349. Putnam and Sons, Lond.
[There are several editions of this work, all with the same
information.]

1966. Guide for the identification and reporting of stranded whales, dolphins and porpoises on the British coasts. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist., Lond., 34 p.

GOLLEY, F. B.

1966. South Carolina mammals. The Charleston Museum, Charleston,
S.C., xiv + 181 p.

GUNTER, G.

1954. Mammals of the Gulf of Mexico. _In_ P. S. Galtsoff
(coordinator), Gulf of Mexico, its origin, waters, and marine
life, p. 543-567. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull. Vol. 55.

HALL, E. R., and K. R. KELSON.

1959. Order cetacea--cetaceans. _In_ The mammals of North America,
2:806-840. Ronald Press, N.Y.

HERSHKOVITZ, P.

1966. Catalog of living whales. Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus. 246, 259 p.

KELLOGG, R.

1940. Whales, giants of the sea. Natl. Geogr. Mag. 77:35-90.

LAYNE, J. N.

1965. Observations on marine mammals in Florida waters. Bull. Fla.
State Mus., Biol. Sci. 9:131-181.

LEATHERWOOD, S., W. E. EVANS, and D. W. RICE.

1972. The whales, dolphins, and porpoises of the eastern north
Pacific. A guide to their identification in the water. Nav.
Underseas Cent., Tech. Publ. 282, 175 p.

LOWERY, G. H., JR.

1974. The mammals of Louisiana and its adjacent waters. Louisiana
State Univ. Press, Baton Rouge, 565 p.

MITCHELL, E. D.

1973. The status of the world's whales. Nat. Can. 2(4):9-25.

MOORE, J. C.

1953. Distribution of marine mammals to Florida waters. Am. Midl.
Nat. 49:117-158.

NORRIS, K. S. (editor).

1966. Whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Univ. California Press,
Berkeley, 789 p.

PALMER, R. S.

1954. The mammal guide. Doubleday and Co., N.Y., 384 p.

RICE, D. W.

1967. Cetaceans. _In_ S. Anderson and J. K. Jones (editors), Recent
mammals of the world; a synopsis of families, p. 291-324. The
Ronald Press, N.Y.

RICE, D. W., and V. B. SCHEFFER.

1968. A list of the marine mammals of the world. U.S. Fish Wildl.
Serv., Spec. Sci. Rep. Fish. 579, 16 p.

RIDGEWAY, S. H. (editor).

1972. Mammals of the sea; biology and medicine. Charles C. Thomas,
Springfield, Ill., xiii + 812 p.

SCHEVILL, W. E.

1974. The whale problem. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, Mass., 297
p.

SERGEANT, D. E., and H. D. FISHER.

1957. The smaller Cetacea of eastern Canadian waters. J. Fish. Res.
Board Can. 14:83-115.

SERGEANT, D. E., A. W. MANSFIELD, and B. BECK.

1970. Inshore records of Cetacea of eastern Canada, 1949-68. J.
Fish. Res. Board Can. 27:1903-1915.

SLIJPER, E. J.

1962. Whales. Hutchinson and Co., Ltd., Lond., 475 p. [There is also
an American edition.]

TOMILIN, A. G.

1967. Cetacea. Mammals of the U.S.S.R. and adjacent countries. Isr.
Program Sci. Transl., Jerusalem, Vol. IX, 717 p. [A compilation of
worldwide data, originally published in Russian.]

TOWNSEND, C. H.

1935. The distribution of certain whales as shown by logbook records
of American whaleships. Zoologica (N.Y.) 19:1-50.

TRUE, F. W.

1889. Contributions to the natural history of the cetaceans, a
review of the family Delphinidae. Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus. 36:1-192.

WALKER, E. P.

1964. Mammals of the world. The Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, p.
1083-1145. [Cetaceans. There is also a second, revised edition of
this work, and a third, revised edition is planned.]

APPENDIX A

TAGS ON WHALES, DOLPHINS, AND PORPOISES

Field studies of cetaceans are very difficult. First, it is extremely hard to be positive that an individual or a group of animals is the same from one encounter to the next. This means that it is nearly impossible to determine, for example, whether herds of animals are resident in an area or only seasonal visitors. Without information of this kind, determinations vital to population management, such as sizes of populations and natural ranges, are impossible to make.

Secondly, as we frequently point out in this guide, individual cetaceans are usually visible to a surface observer only during the brief moments when they break the air-water interface to breathe. The majority of their vital activities (e.g., feeding, reproduction, communication, establishing and maintaining position within the herd, and defending against natural enemies) take place primarily below the surface, well out of view to a surface observer.

In recent years, in an attempt to overcome some of these problems, scientists have been placing markers on various species of cetaceans and monitoring their movements. The following brief summary of major methods of tagging cetaceans is provided to acquaint the reader with markers he may expect to see in the western North Atlantic.

Static Tags

Since their development in the mid-1920's, numerous Discovery marks (small stainless steel projectiles with identifying information stamped on them) have been shot into commercially valuable species by means of a shotgun. The recovery of these marks from whales subsequently killed in the whaling industry has provided valuable information on the movement patterns and on basic aspects of the growth and development of harvested species of whales. Discovery marks are limited, however, because they are not visible in a living animal. Reduction in whaling activities will bring about a significant reduction in their use.

More recent tagging developments relate to marks which will be visible on a free-swimming animal. Large whales, for instance, may be tagged with color-coded streamers, such as that shown in Appendix Figure A2. The tags, which are modified versions of the spaghetti tags first constructed for use on fishes, consist of a small stainless steel head for attachment to the blubber and a colorful streamer (sometimes stamped with information on agencies to which tags should be returned) which is visible above the surface of the animal. These tags may be applied by using either a pole applicator or a crossbow and crossbow bolts. Both applicators are equipped with a stop to limit the depth of penetration into the animal's blubber. Extensive experimentation indicates that the tags do not harm the animals and that their application is not traumatic. With the continued reduction in whaling activity, it is hoped that the use of such markers in the study of movements of big whales will be increased.

Because they often ride the bow wave of a moving vessel, thereby making themselves accessible for tagging and capture, small porpoises and dolphins have been tagged with a greater variety of marks than large whales. In recent years, at least three kinds of static tags, including spaghetti streamers, have been placed on small and medium-sized cetaceans.

Spaghetti tags, placed in the animal's blubber near the base of the dorsal fin as it rides the bow wave, stream to conform to the contour of the animal's body as it swims (App. Fig. A3). It is not possible to identify the numbers on the spaghetti tag of a moving animal, although color codes may be used to indicate different species, populations, or tagging areas.

Button tags and freeze brands are placed on captured animals prior to their release. The button tags (App. Figs. A4, A5) are placed in the dorsal fin and should be visible as the animal surfaces to breathe or as it rides the bow wave. At close range, the number, letter, or design may also be visible. Freeze brands (App. Fig. A6) are placed on the back or dorsal fin with a supercooled branding iron, apparently without pain or discomfort to the animal, and provide a permanent mark which leaves the tagged animal free of encumbrances. The use of freeze brands shows promise and should come into more extensive use.

Other static tagging techniques currently under investigation include the use of laser beams to apply small brands and the use of gas branding devices. Neither technique, however, has yet reached the field biologist.

The success of any tagging program using static tags depends on the resighting of tagged animals and the recovery of tags. For that reason, we appeal to readers to be on the lookout for tagged animals and to report sightings to one of the authors.

Radio Transmitter Tags

In recent years, radio transmitter tags have been developed for use on marine mammals. As they continue to become more reliable, these tags are expected to come into more and more widespread use.

Early radio tags (Fig. A7) were simple locator beacons which permitted the animal to be tracked by sending a signal to a tracking vessel or aircraft every time the animal surfaced and the antenna tip was exposed. Even these basic packages provide important information on movement, activity patterns, and respiration rates.

Subsequent developments have involved the addition of sensors to monitor the maximum depth of each dive and environmental parameters such as the water temperature at that depth (Fig. A8).

Logical extensions of these developments include the addition of numerous other sensors to permit simultaneous monitoring of multiple aspects of the animal's environment and the transmission of these data first to aircraft and subsequently to satellites for relay to shore-based laboratories.

In addition to permitting scientists to define movement patterns and daily diving patterns of cetaceans, the use of such devices offers an exciting means of determining the environmental parameters that trigger changes in their behavior.

Radio transmitter tags, in a variety of configurations, may be constructed and attached for short-term studies or for long-term monitoring of migrating animals. In either case, depending on their size and methods of attachment, radio transmitter tags may be visible on a free-swimming animal even at a considerable distance.

Natural Markings

In addition to these man-made and applied tags, variations in natural markings and unusual appearances may be used to identify individuals and herds on repeated encounters. Although many species of cetaceans are characterized by changes in color pattern with age, individuals occasionally differ radically in their coloration from their fellows (App. Figs. A9, A10). In addition, individuals are sometimes seen with unusually shaped dorsal fins or scarring patterns (App. Fig. A11). These unusually marked animals should stand out in repeated encounters and can be a help in identifying a herd from one encounter to another.

Obviously, this list of tags and anomalous markings is not exhaustive. New marks may be developed at any time. The discussion is intended to make the reader aware of the value of information on natural or man-made marks in studies of cetacean natural history. Your cooperation will perhaps help us to unravel some of the mystery surrounding the distribution and movements of porpoises, dolphins, and whales.

APPENDIX B

RECORDING AND REPORTING OBSERVATIONS OF CETACEANS AT SEA

To increase reliability of identifications, observers should train themselves to ask the following kinds of questions each time cetaceans are encountered:

1. How large was the animal?

2. Did it have a dorsal fin? If so, what was its size, shape, and position on the animal's back?

3. Was the animal's blow visible? If so, how tall did it appear? What was its shape? How frequently did the animal blow?

4. What was the animal's color and color pattern?

5. Did it have any highly distinctive markings?

6. If it was a large or medium-sized animal, did it show its tail flukes when it began its dive?

7. If it was a medium-sized or small animal, did it approach, avoid, or ignore the vessel? Did it ride the bow wave?

8. What was its behavior? Did it jump from the water? If so, did it make a smooth graceful arching jump, or did it spin, somersault, or reenter with a splash?

One characteristic is rarely sufficient by itself, and the greater amount of relevant evidence the observer can obtain, the greater the likelihood he can make a reliable identification. But it is important to remember that even the most experienced cetologists are often unable to make an identification. Therefore, even if you cannot positively identify an animal or even make a good guess as to its identity, do not hesitate to fill out the rest of the sighting record form and submit it to an appropriate office. Listing the characters you observe and filling in as much of the form as possible may enable a cetologist to make an identification based on those characters and his knowledge of the distribution, movements, and behavior of cetaceans. In this regard, a sketch made as soon as possible after the encounter and photographs taken from as many angles as possible will aid in the identification.

Two sample sighting reports are provided to demonstrate a method of recording observations. The first report, "Sighting Information," is completed as an example and is footnoted for explanation. The second report, "Cetacean Data Record." located at the end of the guide, is blank and may be photocopied in bulk for use in the field. Copies of this or similar forms are available from any of the authors or from National Marine Fisheries Service, Tiburon, Calif. Even if no form is available, however, observations should be recorded in rough form, in as much detail as possible.

Reliable intermittent reports of cetaceans are of interest to cetologists. Their locations indicate seasonality of distribution, and their frequencies help indicate relative abundances of the various species. Because scientists are attempting to determine areas in which cetaceans are often, occasionally, seldom, or never found, and are ultimately describing why animals are found in one area and not another, persons who want to go a step further in their participation in observer programs may want to keep and report records of their entire cruise tracks and zones in which vigilance was maintained but no cetaceans were observed. Data obtained in this manner may be used as the foundation of estimates of cetacean populations, estimates which are extremely difficult to obtain by any other method.

To be of maximum use in such calculations, however, records of this kind _must_ include the following minimum information: time and location of beginning and ending of each continuous watch, weather conditions as they affect visibility, sea state, ship's speed, height of the observer(s) above the water, number of persons on watch, and details of each sighting, particularly the estimated distance of the animal(s) from the ship's track.

For a sample of a fictional continuous watch report might look like the following. If sighting forms are available, these observations may be recorded directly onto them. Additional information can be recorded on the opposite side of the forms.

GENERAL INFORMATION

RV Melville (34-foot converted fishing boat)
U.S. Department of Commerce
NMFS

Hydrographic Cruise Miami, Florida to Flamingo, Florida

28-31 January 1973

2 observers (G.E. Lingle and G.M. Mohr)

EYE LEVEL OF OBSERVERS: 16 feet above water

AVERAGE SHIP SPEED: 8.0 knots during continuous watch

CONTINUOUS WATCH INFORMATION (REFER TO FIG. B1):

START END START END
LEG DATE TIME TIME POSITION POSITION WEATHER--VISIBILITY

1-2 2/28 1200 1730 U. Miami Dock 25-42N Beaufort II Visibility
Va. Key 80-02W 3 miles

3-4 2/29 0800 1500 24-26N 25-00N Beaufort I Visibility
80-04E 81-04W 3.5 miles

5-6 2/30 0700 1680 25-12N 25-12N 3.5 miles
80-46W 81-10W

7-8 2/31 0700 0900 25-00 Flamingo 3.5 miles
80-45W

CETACEAN OBSERVATIONS (REFER TO FIG. B1):

A-2/28 1048 16 bottlenosed dolphins, _Tursiops truncatus_. 6 miles
outside our course, headed west--rode bow briefly. Large
concentrations of sea birds in area. One porpoise freeze
branded N-1 on dorsal fin.

B-2/29 1100 2 right whales directly ahead of vessel headed
NE--40-foot female? with calf. 2 bottlenosed dolphins
accompanying the whales were riding pressure wave off
whale's head.

C-2/29 1400 25-30 spotted porpoises, _Stenella plagiodon_, 1.25 miles
outside our course, heading 240 deg. mag. Did not ride bow
wave.

D-2/30 1300 8 bottlenosed dolphins, _Tursiops truncatus_, 200-300
yards inshore of our course, milling in area of
concentrations of mullet and other small schooling fishes,
dolphins (porpoises) and birds feeding on fish.

SIGHTING INFORMATION

DATE AND LOCAL TIME [Handwriting: 27 January 1977 0845] LOCATION[13] [Handwriting: Ca. 25 deg.00'N, 80 deg.30'W]

WEATHER CONDITIONS [Handwriting: Scattered rain squalls, visibility 1-1.5 mi, Temp 42 deg.F]

OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS[14] [Handwriting: Swells 1-2 feet, scattered white caps Winds from S.E. @ 3-8 knots, gusting in squalls to 15 knots.]

SPECIES[15] [Handwriting: Right Whales, Eubalaena glacialis (45 ft/15 ft)] NUMBER OF ANIMAL(S) [Handwriting: 2]

HEADING OF ANIMAL(S) [Handwriting: 015 deg.] SPEED OF ANIMAL(S) [Handwriting: 1-2] (MAGNETIC) (KNOTS)

ASSOCIATED ORGANISMS[16] [Handwriting: Bottlenosed dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (3) and unidentified gulls (10-20)]

TAGS OR UNUSUAL MARKINGS [Handwriting: One whale had deep slash across back about 3 ft. behind blowholes-area of slash was white.]

CHARACTERISTICS OBSERVED WHICH RESULTED IN SPECIES IDENTIFICATION [Handwriting: 45 ft, No dorsal fin, smooth black back, high arching jaws, yellowish-orange growths on head, coastal habitat]

BEHAVIOR OF ANIMAL(S) [Handwriting: Adult whale swam steadily north, calf close beside, Bottlenosed dolphins riding in front of adults head.]

SKETCHES [Hand-drawn illustration of whales, dolphins and distinguishing features.]

PHOTOS AVAILABLE YES NO

[Handwriting: Photos (GEL, Roll 16, frames 8-30)]

ADDITIONAL REMARKS [Handwriting: Dolphins remained with whales entire 1/2 hour of observation, appently riding on pressure wave.]

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OBSERVER (SHIP OR A/C) [Handwriting: G. E. Lingle, Naval Undersea Center, San Diego, California 92132 and G. A. Antonelis, NMFS, Seattle, Washington 98105 aboard the RV Cape]

[Footnote 13: If latitude and longitude are not readily available, record best available position, for example 5 hours at 10 knots, SE of Miami.]

[Footnote 14: Any oceanographic or bathymetric information obtainable at the time of sighting may be significant. Such measurements as water depth, presence of large fish schools, or deep scattering layer/organisms (DSL) characteristics of the bottom (e.g., flat sand plain, sea mount, submarine cliff), surface temperature, depth of thermocline, and salinity should be included if available. In the Pacific, similar data have been used to demonstrate reliable associations there between saddleback dolphins and significant features of bottom relief and relationships between the onset of their nighttime deep diving (feeding) patterns and the upward migration of the scattering layers.]

[Footnote 15: Sometimes two or more species of cetacean are found together. If more than one species is sighted, try to identify each. Give both common and scientific names of each, and even if you cannot identify the animal(s) describe, sketch, and, if possible, photograph them and fill out the rest of the sighting report.]

[Footnote 16: Describe any tags seen (see Appendix A) and state their size, shape, color, and position on the animal's body and any symbols or numbers they contain.]

APPENDIX C

STRANDED WHALES, DOLPHINS, AND PORPOISES

With a Key to the Identification of Stranded Cetaceans of the Western North Atlantic

Stranded Animals

As we discussed briefly in the introduction to this guide, whales, dolphins, and porpoises sometimes "strand" or "beach" themselves, individually or in entire herds, for a complex of still incompletely understood reasons. Though the reasons suggested for these strandings appear almost as numerous as the strandings themselves, two tenable generalizations have recently been proposed.

Strandings of lone individuals usually involve an animal which is sick or injured. Mass strandings, involving from several to several hundred individuals, appear to be far more complex and may result from fear reactions, from extremely bad weather conditions, from herd-wide disease conditions, or from failure of the echolocation system due to physiological problems or environmental conditions which combine to reduce its effectiveness, to mention only a few.

Whatever their causes, however, cetacean strandings usually attract crowds and elicit much public interest and sympathy. There are frequently attempts to save the lives of the animals involved.

Individually stranded cetaceans rarely survive, even if they are found soon after stranding and transported to adequate holding facilities. This does not mean that every attempt should not be made to save them.

In mass strandings, some individuals may be entirely healthy, and if they are found soon enough after stranding, properly protected and transported, and correctly cared for in the initial few days after collection, they may survive in captivity. Attempts to rescue all the animals in a mass stranding by towing them out to sea have almost always been frustrating because the animals usually swim repeatedly back onto the beach.

If you discover a stranding and before you become involved in an attempt to save a live stranded animal or to collect data from a dead one, you should be aware of the following:

MARINE MAMMALS ARE CURRENTLY PROTECTED BY LAW. Under provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, it is unlawful for persons without a permit to handle, harass, or possess any marine mammal. It is within the authority of State officials and employees of the National Marine Fisheries Service to arrange for the care of live animals through certified institutions, such as many of those listed in Appendix E. (Even if the animals were not protected by law, any impulse to take them to backyard swimming pools, for instance, should be tempered by the knowledge that their chances of survival are far greater in an institution with the facilities and expertise to properly care for them.) The best general rule is to notify the nearest State or National Marine Fisheries Service office. If you prefer, however, you may contact one of the institutions listed in the appendix and ask them to handle the situation. Some will already have permits to investigate strandings. Most will be anxious to help.

Although _you cannot remove the animal from the beach without a permit_, you can help keep it alive until it can be removed. Here are a few hints. WHILE WAITING FOR HELP TO ARRIVE, ENDEAVOR TO KEEP THE ANIMAL AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE. IF IT IS NOT TOO LARGE AND SURF CONDITIONS PERMIT, IT SHOULD BE REMOVED TO SHALLOW WATER WHERE IT IS BARELY AFLOAT. The buoyancy of the water will reduce the stress to the animal and will help to keep it cool and prevent overheating--a real danger to stranded cetaceans.

Whether or not the animal can be floated, CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT IT FROM SUNBURN, DRYING OUT, AND OVERHEATING. IF IT IS AFLOAT, EXPOSED PARTS SHOULD BE FREQUENTLY SPLASHED DOWN. IF IT IS HIGH AND DRY, IT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH DAMP CLOTH, PARTICULARLY ON THE DORSAL FIN, FLIPPERS, AND FLUKES, AND THE BODY AND THE TERRAIN SHOULD BE FREQUENTLY WATERED TO PREVENT THE ANIMAL FROM OVERHEATING IN THE AREAS IN CONTACT WITH THE SAND OR ROCK.

IN ANY CASE, BE CAREFUL TO LEAVE THE BLOWHOLE FREE SO THAT THE ANIMAL CAN BREATHE. NOTE ALSO THAT THE EYES ARE PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO INJURY; THEY SHOULD BE COVERED WITH A WET CLOTH AND TREATED WITH SPECIAL CARE.

With luck, this careful handling will be rewarded with the animal's being picked up and transported to an aquarium, where it can receive proper attention. But even IF THE ANIMAL CANNOT BE SAVED, COLLECTION AND EXAMINATION OF THE CARCASS CAN PROVIDE VALUABLE INFORMATION TO SCIENTISTS WORKING ON THE BIOLOGY OF CETACEANS, OR ON SUCH PROBLEMS AS THEIR DISEASE CONDITIONS AND THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS ON THEM. DEAD STRANDED CETACEANS EVEN IN ADVANCED STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION ARE ALSO AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF MATERIALS FOR MUSEUM STUDY AND DISPLAY. THEREFORE, EVERY ATTEMPT SHOULD BE MADE TO GET THE CARCASS INTO THE BEST HANDS. DEAD CETACEANS, LIKE THE LIVE ONES, ARE PROTECTED BY LAW AND MAY NOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT A PERMIT. The procedure for obtaining permission to collect them is the same as that outlined for live strandings. The majority of the institutions along the western North Atlantic coast will respond to calls about live or dead strandings. Even if you are unable to contact an appropriate official, you can still collect some valuable information by identifying the specimen, using the following key, and by collecting measurements (see Appendix D).

Identifying the Animal

Cetaceans may be found during or shortly after the stranding or many months later, when the carcass is bloated or rotted nearly beyond recognition. If the stranded animal is alive or freshly dead, it can be identified by any of the characteristics itemized in the text. But even if it is in an advanced stage of decomposition it can be identified using the key below. In general numbers and descriptions of teeth (Table 1) and numbers and descriptions of baleen plates (Table 2) persist longest as reliable identifying characteristics. If they are still detectable on the carcass, numbers and lengths of ventral grooves may also be used to separate the balaenopterine whales.[17]

[Footnote 17: The tables were prepared primarily from Tomilin (1967) and supplemented by miscellaneous published papers and our own observations. The sections on toothed whales in the key were developed following the general outline of Moore (1953).]

In order to use the key below, begin with the first pair of opposing characteristics--one of the two will apply to the specimen you are examining. On the line following that statement there will be a paragraph number, go to that paragraph. There you will find two more paired, opposing characteristics. Again, one of the two will apply to the specimen you are examining. Select that one and go to the paragraph indicated on the line following it. Continue this procedure until the statement which is true for your specimen is followed by a species name instead of a reference to another paragraph. This name identifies the specimen. To verify your identification go to the discussion of that species in the text. With a little practice and careful attention to details, identification of whales, dolphins, and porpoises will become easier.

KEY TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF STRANDED CETACEANS OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC

1. a. Double blowhole; no teeth present in either jaw; baleen plates
in upper jaws. (Baleen whale) Go to 2

b. Single blowhole; teeth present (sometimes concealed beneath
the gums); no baleen plates in upper jaw.
(Toothed whale) Go to 9

2. a. Ventral grooves present; dorsal fin present; viewed in profile,
upper jaw relatively flat and broad.
(Balaenopterine whale) Go to 3

b. Ventral grooves absent; dorsal fin absent; viewed in profile,
upper jaw and lower lips strongly arched; upper jaw very narrow.
(Right whale) Go to 8

3. a. Ventral grooves end before navel.[18] Go to 4

b. Ventral grooves extend to or beyond navel Go to 5

4. a. 50-70 ventral grooves, longest often ending between flippers;
baleen less than 8 inches (20.3 cm), mostly white or yellowish
white (some posterior plates may be dark) with 15-25 white
bristles per centimeter; 300-325 plates per side.
Minke whale, p. 63

b. 38-56 ventral grooves, longest ending well short of navel;
baleen less than 31 inches (78.7 cm), black (some anteriormost
plates may be white) and with 35-60 fine silky white bristles per
centimeter; 318 340 plates per side.
Sei whale, p. 32

5. a. Flippers one-fourth to one-third length of the body length and
knobbed on leading edge; less than 22 broad and conspicuous
ventral grooves, longest extending at least to navel; head
covered with numerous knobs; baleen less than 24 inches (61 cm),
ash black to olive brown (sometimes whitish) with 10-35 grayish
white bristles per centimeter; 270-400 plates per side.
Humpback whale, p. 40

b. Flippers less than one-fifth body length; no knobs; from 40 to
100 fine ventral grooves, longest extending at least to navel;
head lacks knobs Go to 6

6. a. Three ridges on head, one from blowholes, forward towards tip
of snout, one auxiliary groove along each side of main ridge;
40-50 ventral grooves; 250-300 slate-gray baleen plates with
15-35 dirty gray bristles per centimeter.
Bryde's whale, p. 37

b. Only one prominent ridge on head,[19] from just in front of
blowholes forward towards tip of snout; 55-100 ventral grooves
Go to 7

7. a. Head broad and U-shaped; dorsal fin less than 13 inches (33 cm)
and very far back on tail stock; baleen all black with 10-30
black bristles per centimeter; plates extremely broad relative to
length.
Blue whale, p. 19

b. Head broad at gape but sharply pointed on tip; dorsal fin to
24 inches (61 cm) and slightly more than one-third forward from
tail; right front one-fifth to one-third of baleen ivory white to
yellowish white, remainder dark gray to bluish gray streaked with
yellowish white; plates have 10-35 gray or white bristles per
centimeter and are narrow relative to length.
Fin whale, p. 26

8. a. Top of snout not covered with callosities; 325-360 baleen
plates per side, longest reaching 14 feet (4.3 m); plates black
with black bristles (anterior portion of some plates may be
whitish).
Bowhead whale, p. 49

b. Top of snout covered with callosities, often including lice
and/or barnacles; 250-390 baleen plates per side, longest
reaching 7.2 feet (2.2 m); plates dirty or yellowish gray (some
anterior plates all or part white and some posterior plates brown
or black) with 35-70 bristles per centimeter.
Right whale, p. 52

9. a. Upper part of head extending appreciably past tip of lower jaw;
lower jaw markedly undershot and considerably narrower than upper
jaw Go to 10

b. Upper part of head not extending appreciably past tip of lower
jaw; lower jaw approximately same width as upper jaw Go to 12

10. a. Body more than 13 feet (4.0 m); head massive, to one-third of
body length; blowhole located far forward of eyes and to left
front of head; dorsal fin low, triangular or rounded followed by
series of knuckles or crenulations; 18-25 teeth in each lower jaw
fit into sockets in upper jaw (10-16 upper teeth rarely emerge).
Sperm whale, p. 57

b. Body less than 13 feet (4.0 m); head considerably less than
one-third body length; blowhole located approximately even with
eyes on top of head, slightly displaced to left but not on left
front of head; conspicuous dorsal fin present; 8-16 teeth in each
lower jaw fitting into sockets in upper jaw Go to 11

11. a. No creases on throat; dorsal fin small and located in latter
third of back; 12-16 teeth (rarely 10-11) in each lower jaw.
Pygmy sperm whale, p. 144

b. Inconspicuous creases on throat; dorsal fin tall and falcate,
resembling that of the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin, and located
near middle of back; 8-11 (rarely 13) extremely sharp teeth in
each lower jaw; rarely 1-3 teeth in each upper jaw.
Dwarf sperm whale, p. 148

12. a. Two conspicuous grooves on outer surface of throat forming
V-shape pointed forward; notch absent or inconspicuous in flukes.
(Beaked whale) Go to 13

b. No conspicuous grooves on outer surface of throat; deep median
notch on rear margin of tail flukes Go to 18

13. a. A pair of teeth located at the tip of the lower jaw (erupted
only in adult males, concealed in females and immature
animals) Go to 14

b. No teeth at the tip of the lower jaw Go to 16

NOTE: Immature individuals of the species covered in paragraphs 14 and 15 may not be readily identifiable without museum preparation and examination.

14. a. Two well-developed teeth, erupted or hidden beneath the gum,
are compressed so they appear elliptical in cross section; body
to 16 feet (4.9 m); united portion of the lower jaws[20] more than
one-fourth the length of the entire lower jaw.
True's beaked whale, p. 77

b. Two well-developed teeth substantially less flattened so that
they appear more nearly rounded in cross section Go to 15

15. a. Distinct elongated beak; pronounced bulge to forehead;
blowhole located in lateral crease behind bulge; body to 32 feet
(9.8 m); sometimes second pair of teeth behind first in lower
jaw.
Northern bottlenosed whale, p. 67

b. No distinct beak; forehead slightly concave in front of
blowhole, increasing in concavity with increasing size; body to
23 feet (7.0 m); united portion of lower jaw less than one-fourth
the length of the entire lower jaw; head of adult males all
white.
Goosebeaked whale, p. 70

16. a. A single pair of teeth in the united portion of the lower jaw,
at the suture of the mandible (about one-third of the way from
the tip of the snout to the gape); length to 22 feet (6.7 m);
flukes less than one-fifth the body length.
Antillean beaked whale, p. 78

b. A single pair of teeth back of united portion of lower jaw;
body less than 17 feet (5.2 m) Go to 17

17. a. Teeth not exceptionally large and located immediately back of
united portion of lower jaw, about half way from the tip of the
snout to the gape.
North Sea beaked whale, p. 82

b. Teeth exceptionally large, located on bony prominences near
the corner of the mouth, and oriented backwards; corners of
mouth, particularly in adult males, have high-arching contour;
flukes to one-sixth or one-fifth of the body length.
Dense-beaked whale, p. 80

18. a. Rostrum, if present, not sharply demarcated from forehead Go to 19

b. Head has a distinct, though sometimes short rostrum separated
from the forehead by a distinct crease angle Go to 30

19. a. Teeth spade-shaped, laterally compressed and relatively small;
body to only about 5 feet (1.5 m); 22-28 teeth in each upper and
lower jaw.
Harbor porpoise, p. 150

b. Teeth conical and sharply pointed (in cross section circular,
or slightly flattened anteroposteriorly) Go to 20

20. a. No distinct dorsal fin; back marked instead with small dorsal
ridge near midpoint of back. Go to 21

b. Distinct dorsal fin, in middle or forward third of the back
Go to 22

21. a. 8-11 teeth in each upper jaw, 8-9 in each lower jaw; body of
young slate gray or brownish, adults white; short broad rostrum.
Beluga, p. 99

b. No visible teeth (or two teeth) in upper jaw of adults only;
in males and sometimes females one or both of these may grow up
to 9-foot (2.7 m) tusk in left-hand (sinestral) spiral; no
rostrum.
Narwhal, p. 102

22. a. Head long and conical Go to 23

b. Head blunt Go to 24

23. a. 20-27 teeth in each upper and lower jaw; crowns of teeth often
marked with many fine vertical wrinkles; body to about 8 feet
(2.4 m).
Rough-toothed dolphin, p. 135

b. 26-35 teeth in each upper and lower jaw; teeth smooth; body to
about 5.6 feet (1.7 m); distribution restricted to northern coast
of South America, in the Guianas, and adjacent eastward territory
of Venezuela.
Guiana dolphin, p. 132

24. a. Teeth usually at front end of lower jaw only, 2-7 pairs
(rarely teeth in upper jaw); all teeth may have fallen out of the
lower jaw of older specimens or may be extensively worn; forehead
with median crease; dorsal fin tall and distinct to 15 inches
(38.1 cm); body to 13 feet (4.0 m).
Grampus, p. 96

b. Teeth in both upper and lower jaws, 7 or more pairs, forehead
with no median crease Go to 25

25. a. Flippers large and paddle-shaped, ovate, and rounded on the
distal end; dorsal fin tall and erect to 6 feet (1.8 m) in males
and 3 feet (0.9 m) in females; 10-12 teeth in each jaw; teeth to
1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
Killer whale, p. 84

b. Flippers long and pointed Go to 26

26. a. Dorsal fin located in forward one-third of body, very broad at
the base; head bulbous.
(Pilot whale) Go to 27

b. Dorsal fin located near midpoint of back; head long Go to 28

27. a. Flippers one-fifth of body length, or more.
Atlantic pilot whale, p. 91

b. Flippers one-sixth of body length, or less.
Short-finned pilot whale, p. 94

28. a. Flipper has distinctive hump on forward margin; 8-11 prominent
teeth curved backwards and inwards, in each upper and lower jaw.
False killer whale, p. 88

b. Flipper lacks distinctive hump on forward margin; 10-25 teeth
in each upper and lower jaw Go to 29

29. a. 8-13 teeth in each jaw.
Pygmy killer whale, p. 138

b. 20-25 teeth in each upper jaw, 21-24 teeth in each lower jaw.
Many-toothed blackfish, p. 142

30. a. Beak short, usually less than about 1 inch (2.5 cm) Go to 31

b. Beak more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) Go to 33

31. a. Flippers very short; dorsal fin small and triangular; 38-44
teeth in each jaw; body to at least 8 feet (2.4 m); distinct
black stripe from beak to area of anus; in profile beak shows
very little separation from forehead.
Fraser's dolphin, p. 120

b. Flippers long relative to body length; dorsal fin tall and
distinctly falcate; 22-40 teeth in each jaw; in profile, beak
shows distinct separation from forehead.
(_Lagenorhynchus_ sp.) Go to 32

32. a. 22-28 teeth in each jaw; dorsal fin all black; body to about
10 feet (3.1 m).
White-beaked dolphin, p. 126

b. 30-40 teeth in each jaw (some animals have greater number in
upper than in lower jaw); dorsal fin part gray, part black; body
to about 9 feet (2.7 m).
Atlantic white-sided dolphin, p. 123

33. a. 20-26 teeth in the upper jaws; 18-24 in the lower jaws; body
to 12 feet (3.7 m); teeth may be extensively worn.
Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin, p. 128

b. 26 or more teeth in both upper and lower jaws Go to 34

34. a. 29-36 teeth in each upper jaw; 28-36 in each lower jaw.
(Spotted dolphins) Go to 35

b. More than 40 teeth in each upper and lower jaw Go to 36

NOTE: Characters in paragraph 35 are usable only on fresh specimens. Spotted dolphins in advanced stages of decomposition can be distinguished only with museum preparation and examination.

35. a. Bridle present (dark lines from eye to rostrum and from
flippers to corner of mouth); cape on head distinct; no spinal
blaze.
Bridled dolphin, p. 108

b. Bridle absent though there is a light line from the flipper to
the eye; cape indistinct; spinal blaze.
Atlantic spotted dolphin, p. 104

36. a. From 46-65 small, sharply pointed teeth; body dark gray on
back, tan to light gray on sides, white on belly; beak dark gray
or black above, white below, and often black-tipped; body to
about 7 feet (2.1 m).
Spinner dolphin, p. 110

b. From 40 to 50 teeth in each upper and lower jaw Go to 37

37. a. Body to 9 feet (2.7 m); black to dark gray on back, gray on
sides, white on belly; distinctive black stripes from eye to
anus, eye to flipper, and dark dorsal coloration to side above
flipper.
Striped dolphin, p. 113

b. Body to 8.5 feet (2.6 m) but usually less than 7.5 feet (2.3
m); body dark on back with light thoracic patch and crisscross or
hourglass pattern on side; black stripe from middle of lower jaw
to origin of flipper.
Saddleback dolphin, p. 116

[Footnote 18: Counts of ventral grooves are made between the flippers and do not include shorter grooves often found on the side of the head and on the side above the flippers.]

[Footnote 19: Blue whale has faint lateral ridges.]

[Footnote 20: By feeling between the lower jaws on the ventral surface and moving the finger forward towards the tip of the snout, one can feel the point at which the two lower jaws become united (called the symphysis). This location is an important reference point in distinguishing among the species separated in paragraphs 14, 15, and 16.]

APPENDIX D

RECORDING AND REPORTING DATA ON STRANDED CETACEANS

So that measurements of cetaceans taken at different times and at widely divergent locations can be compared, the measurements and the methods of taking them have been standardized, although there is still some disagreement about which of the measurements are most important. The data form located at the end of this guide, usable on both baleen and toothed whales, includes all the measurements routinely taken by cetologists plus a few new ones the authors consider important. The form and the directions for taking measurements are synthesized from those currently in use by the Naval Undersea Center, San Diego; the Fisheries Research Board of Canada; the University of Rhode Island; the University of Florida; the U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C.; and the National Marine Fisheries Service, La Jolla, Calif.

Data on stranded cetaceans should be collected by someone experienced in handling and measuring cetaceans. The legal problems associated with collection of a specimen are discussed in Appendix C. In addition to having a permit or knowing how to obtain permission to collect the specimen, persons active in cetacean research will usually have access to laboratory facilities where in-depth studies, including postmortem examinations and collection of tissues for specialized laboratory examinations, can be conducted. Furthermore, specialized equipment, and the number of steps required to do a complete job with the specimen, make the procedure prohibitive for most noncetologists. Diligent attempts should be made to contact one of the institutions listed in Appendix E. If no one is available and no permit or approval is obtainable, you are limited to photographing, sketching, and measuring the specimen without removing the carcass or any part of the carcass from the beach.

Any person taking data on stranded cetaceans should follow the instructions itemized below, being careful to take measurements in the manner prescribed and to record data in as much detail as possible.

1. Specimens should be preserved in 10% neutral Formalin, except for the stomach contents, which should be kept in 70% ethyl or 40% isopropyl alcohol, or be frozen. Commercial rubbing alcohol will suffice. As a minimum, the head, flippers, and reproductive tract should be preserved. If no other method of handling the specimen is available, and only as a last resort, it may be buried in the sand well above the high tide line and carefully marked so it can later be recovered. Burying usually results in the loss of some vital parts.

2. The carcass should be examined for external parasites particularly in such areas as the blowhole(s), the eyes, any wounds on the trailing edges of the dorsal fin, flippers, and flukes. Occasionally barnacles will be found on teeth or baleen plates. Like the stomach contents, parasites should be preserved in alcohol.

3. Photographs and sketches are a valuable part of data collection--views of the animal(s) from as many angles as possible, and detailed shots of such features as baleen plates, mouth and teeth, ventral grooves, flippers, flukes, and unusual scars or coloration should be included. Including a ruler for size reference may be helpful.

4. Although scientific data are usually expressed in metric units, measurements should be taken in whatever units are readily available. All measurements should be taken in a straight line, as shown in the diagram, unless otherwise noted. Measurements which refer to the rostrum are taken from the tip of the upper jaw. The external auditory meatus (ear) is a small inconspicuous opening located just below and behind the eye. To locate the ear the observer must sometimes scrape away some of the skin to expose the unpigmented ear canal beneath it.

5. Throat grooves are short grooves found on the throat of beaked whales, sperm whales, and dwarf sperm whales. Ventral grooves are long grooves found only on balaenopterine whales. Ventral grooves should be counted between the flippers.

It is difficult to overstress the importance of data from stranded cetaceans. For some species, the only data available have come from stranded individuals. By carefully gleaning from each specimen all the data that can be collected, you will make a valuable addition to the body of knowledge on these elusive animals.

APPENDIX E

LIST OF INSTITUTIONS TO CONTACT REGARDING STRANDED CETACEANS

The following list includes many of the institutions in the area covered by this guide, which are likely to respond to calls about stranded cetaceans. The institutions on the mainland are listed roughly in order from north to south, following the contour of the coast. Several island institutions and organizations are also listed.

These institutions are the ones that come to mind as having taken an active interest in cetacean strandings in the recent past. In addition to these, almost any university biology or zoology department, State or Federal conservation agency or marine laboratory, or local natural history museum or society can recommend an interested biologist if no staff member is interested. Such organizations are widely distributed on or near the coasts and are usually adequately listed in local telephone directories.

It should be obvious that organizations such as oceanaria are the most likely ones to be interested in live animals on an emergency basis. Even so, these organizations often cooperate with biologists with whom they are familiar and so will pick up dead animals for them as well. Conversely, museums and the like are most interested in the dead animals as they have no facilities for handling live ones. Nevertheless, they often cooperate with institutions equipped to handle live animals and will usually help in making arrangements for picking up the live ones. Therefore, rather than the finder's making a decision as to whether or not an institution should be called because the animal is alive or dead, we would urge that the nearest organization in the following list be contacted under any circumstances.

Space is provided at the end of the list for additions of contacts inadvertently overlooked in compiling this list, or of institutions which come into being after its publication.

CANADA

Newfoundland

Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's.

Nova Scotia

Bedford Institute, Dartmouth.

Departments of Biology, Psychology and/or Physiology, Dalhousie
University, Halifax.

Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax.

Quebec

Arctic Unit, Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Ste. Anne de Bellevue.

Ontario

Department of Zoology, University of Guelph, Guelph.

UNITED STATES

Maine

see Massachusetts.

New Hampshire

see Massachusetts.

Massachusetts

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole.

New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston.

Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge.

Rhode Island

Narragansett Marine Laboratory, University of Rhode Island, Kingston.

Connecticut

Mystic Marine Life Aquarium, Mystic.

New York

New York Aquarium, Coney Island, Brooklyn.

American Museum of Natural History, Department of Mammals, New York City.

New Jersey

Department of Biochemistry, Rutgers University, New Brunswick,

also see New York.

Delaware

see New York,

see New Jersey.

Maryland

Department of Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.

also see District of Columbia.

District of Columbia

Division of Mammals, United States National Museum.

Virginia

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point.

also see District of Columbia.

North Carolina

Duke Marine Laboratory, Beaufort.

Institute of Fisheries Research, University of North Carolina,
Morehead City.

South Carolina

Charleston Museum, Charleston.

Grice Marine Biological Laboratory, College of Charleston, Charleston.

Georgia

The Georgia Conservancy, The Clusky Building, 127 Abercorn Street,
Savannah.

University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island (Darien).

Florida

Marineland of Florida, St. Augustine

University of Florida Biocommunication and Marine Mammal Research
Facility, St. Augustine.

Ocean World, Ft. Lauderdale.

Wometco Miami Seaquarium, Miami.

University of Miami School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami.

Sea World, Orlando.

Mote Marine Laboratory, Placida.

Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota.

Aquatarium, St. Petersburg Beach.

Florida's Gulfarium, Ft. Walton Beach.

Alabama

see Florida (Florida's Gulfarium).

see Mississippi.

Mississippi

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs.

Louisiana

Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

Marine Life Park, Gulfport.

Texas

Sea-Arama Marineworld, Galveston.

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University,
College Station.

Department of Zoology, University of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi.

University of Texas, Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas.

Puerto Rico

Commercial Fisheries Laboratory, Department of Agriculture,
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez.

Department of Agriculture, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Santurce (San
Juan).

Virgin Islands

Caribbean Research Institute, Red Hook, St. Thomas.

OTHERS

Mexico

Instituto Nacionale de Investigaciones Biologia Pesquera, Division de
Vertebrados Marinos, Mexico 7, D.F.

also see Texas.

Venezuela

Universidad de Oriente, Nucleo de Nueva Esparta, Isla Margarita.

Jamaica

Department of Zoology, University of the West Indies, Mona (Kingston).

Science Museum, Institute of Jamaica, Kingston.

Bahamas

Lerner Marine Laboratory, Bimini.

Nassau Aquarium, Nassau, New Providence.

Bermuda

Bermuda Biological Station, St. George's.

Government Aquarium and Museum, Flatts.

Cuba

Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Instituto de Biologia, Academie de
Ciencias de Cuba, Havana.

SIGHTING INFORMATION

DATE AND LOCAL TIME__________________________LOCATION_________________

WEATHER CONDITIONS____________________________________________________

OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS______________________________________________

SPECIES_______________________________________NUMBER OF ANIMAL(S)_____

HEADING OF ANIMAL(S)__________________________SPEED OF ANIMAL(S)______
(MAGNETIC) (KNOTS)

ASSOCIATED ORGANISMS__________________________________________________

TAGS OR UNUSUAL MARKINGS______________________________________________

CHARACTERISTICS OBSERVED WHICH RESULTED IN SPECIES IDENTIFICATION_____
______________________________________________________________________

BEHAVIOR OF ANIMAL(S)_________________________________________________

SKETCHES

PHOTOS AVAILABLE YES___NO____

ADDITIONAL REMARKS____________________________________________________

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OBSERVER (SHIP OR A/C)____________________________

CETACEAN DATA RECORD

SPECIES___________________________________SEX___LENGTH_____WEIGHT_____

DATE/TIME STRANDED__________________DATE/TIME DATA COLLECTED__________

LOCATION OF COLLECTION________________________________________________

OBSERVER NAME/ADDRESS_________________________________________________

SPECIMEN SENT TO______________________________________________________

Straight line parallel
to the body axis Point to point

MEASUREMENTS:

1. Tip of upper jaw to deepest
part of fluke notch ______________________ ______________

2. Tip of upper jaw to center
of anus ______________________ ______________

3. Tip of upper jaw to center
of genital slit ______________________ ______________

4. Tip of lower jaw to end of
ventral grooves ______________________ ______________

5. Tip of upper jaw to center
of umbilicus ______________________ ______________

6. Tip of upper jaw to top of
dorsal fin ______________________ ______________

7. Tip of upper jaw to leading
edge of dorsal fin ______________________ ______________

8a. Tip of upper jaw to anterior
insertion of flipper (right)______________________ ______________

b. Tip of upper jaw to anterior
insertion of flipper (left) ______________________ ______________

9. Tip of upper jaw to center
of blowhole(s) ______________________ ______________

10. Tip of upper jaw to anterior
edge of blowhole(s) ______________________ ______________

11a. Tip of upper jaw to
auditory meatus (right) ______________________ _____________

b. Tip of upper jaw to auditory
meatus (left) ______________________ _____________

12a. Tip of upper jaw to center
of eye (right) ______________________ _____________

b. Tip of upper jaw to center
of eye (left) ______________________ _____________

13. Tip of upper jaw to angle of
gape ______________________ _____________

14. Tip of upper jaw to apex of
melon ______________________ _____________

15. Rostrum--maximum width ______________________ _____________

16. Throat grooves--length ______________________ _____________

Straight line parallel
to the body axis Point to point

17. Projection of lower jaw
beyond upper (if reverse,
so state) _____________________

18. Center of eye to center of eye ______________

19a. Height of eye (right) ______________________

b. Height of eye (left) ______________________

20a. Length of eye (right) ______________________

b. Length of eye (left) ______________________

21a. Center of eye to angle of
gape (right) ______________________ ______________

b. Center of eye to angle of
gape (left) ______________________ ______________

22a. Center of eye to external
auditory meatus (right) ______________________ ______________

b. Center of eye to external
auditory meatus (left) ______________________ ______________

23a. Center of eye to center
of blowhole (right) ______________________ ______________

b. Center of eye to center
of blowhole (left) ______________________ ______________

24. Blowhole length ______________________

25. Blowhole width ______________________

26. Flipper width (right) ______________

27. Flipper width (left) ______________

28a. Flipper length--tip to
anterior insertion (right)______________________

b. Flipper length--tip to
anterior insertion (left)_______________________

29a. Flipper length--tip to
axilla (right) _______________________

b. Flipper length--tip to
axilla (left) _______________________

30. Dorsal fin height _______________________

31. Dorsal fin base _______________________

32. Fluke span _______________________

33. Fluke width _______________________

34. Fluke depth of notch _______________________

Straight line parallel
to the body axis Point to point

35. Notch of flukes to center
of anus ______________________

36. Notch of flukes to center
of genital aperture ______________________ ______________

37. Notch of flukes to umbilicus______________________

38. Notch of flukes to nearest
point on leading edge of flukes___________________

39. Girth at anus ______________________

40. Girth at axilla ______________________

41. Girth at eye ______________________

42. Girth ___ cm in front of notch of flukes ______________

43a. Blubber thickness (middorsal) ______________

b. Blubber thickness (lateral) ______________

c. Blubber thickness (midventral) ______________

44. Width of head at post-orbital
process of frontals _______________________

45. Tooth counts:
right upper _______
right lower _______
left upper _______
left lower _______

46. Baleen counts:
right upper _______
left upper _______