Description of respiratory rhythm for white whales ( Delphinapterus leucas ) in captivity

• Published in: Izvestiya TINRO
• Main Author: Pavel S. Gushcherov
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Russian
• Published: Transactions of the Pacific Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography 2016
• Subjects: белуха; условия неволи; частота дыхания; дыхательная пауза; двигательная активность; Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling; SH1-691; Delphinapterus leucas; Белуха
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.26428/1606-9919-2016-185-123-131; https://doaj.org/article/83c10cd37d824755bfb12d9c2747f225

Parameters of external respiration are considered for white whales Delphinapterus leucas living in captivity on the observations in 2009-2012. Low respiration rate (on average 2.2 ± 0.3 breath per minute) and short apnea phase (no more than 1.7 minutes) were observed in the first days after the catch, but both parameters returned to normal values (3.0 ± 0.2 breath per minute, apnea up to 5.1 minutes) in the next 10-34 days. The respiration rate in the morning is higher in comparison with the evening. The respiration rate dependence on the whales motor activity, their age, and water temperature is discussed, as well.