Introduction to the Anatomy of the Head of a Neonate Gray Whale (Mysticeti, Eschrichtius robustus)

• Published in: The Anatomical Record
• Main Authors: Berta, Annalisa, Ekdale, Eric G., Deméré, Thomas A., Reidenberg, Joy S.
• Other Authors: National Science Foundation
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2015
• Subjects: baleen whale
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.23110; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Far.23110; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/ar.23110/fullpdf

ABSTRACT The gray whale ( Eschrichtius robustus ) is the sole living representative of the mysticete (baleen whale) family Eschrichtiidae. Previous anatomical work on gray whales has been limited owing, in part, to difficulties of specimen access. These contributions to the anatomy of the gray whale head based on dissection of a stranded specimen from northern California include detailed investigation of internal and external features that confirm existing information and provide new evidence for their functional roles, particularly in thermoregulation and feeding. Anat Rec, 298:643–647, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.