. The Biological bulletin. Biology; Zoology; Biology; Marine Biology. BODY TEMPERATURE IN MEGAPTERA 157 observed, found the innermost couple (#1) or perhaps the next (#2) at the highest temperature, with the other values decreasing uniformly as the surface was approached. A representative set of such data is shown in Figure 2. However, sometimes quite abrupt changes were observed between adjacent regions; and even reverse gradients were seen (Fig. 3). The reason for these marked changes in temperature was not immediately evident, although a some- what similar lability was described by Nishiwak
. The Biological bulletin. Biology; Zoology; Biology; Marine Biology. BODY TEMPERATURE IN MEGAPTERA 157 observed, found the innermost couple (#1) or perhaps the next (#2) at the highest temperature, with the other values decreasing uniformly as the surface was approached. A representative set of such data is shown in Figure 2. However, sometimes quite abrupt changes were observed between adjacent regions; and even reverse gradients were seen (Fig. 3). The reason for these marked changes in temperature was not immediately evident, although a some- what similar lability was described by Nishiwaki (personal communication) in successive measurements on whales taken during Japanese operations in the Ant- arctic. Substantial changes in temperature either over short distances or short time periods seem incompatible with either a thermoregulated or an inert body of this bulk. The explanation appears to lie in changes which occur during capture. At this time, the whale is first secured by a harpoon with an attached line; and a subsequent shot carrying an explosive charge kills the animal. Sometimes several such shots may be required. These wounds can admit sea water into the animal; and during their death throes quantities of sea water may be ingested, taken into the rectum or vagina, or aspirated into the ; Accord- ingly, the temperature profile through positions III and V in Figure 3 must reflect the presence of a mass of cold water, in this case at a depth of to feet from the surface. 36- 34- o 32- 30- 28-. HUMPBACK WHALE No. 499 DEAD II HOURS 43 FT. I 2 i 4 VENTRAL INSERTION DEPTH IN FEET FIGURE 3. Temperature-depth profiles at various axial positions in whale No. 499, showing inverted gradients. 3 Such circumstances were described by men of the flensing Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly re
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Keywords: ., bookauthorlilliefrankrat, booksubjectbiology, booksubjectzoology
