Cephalopods from the stomachs of sperm whales taken off California

Cephalopod remains (beaks, bodies, and parts of bodies) werecollected from the stomachs of 157 sperm whales (Physetermacrocephalus) taken off central California (lat. 37°-39°N). At least 24 species representing 14 families were identified. Frequencies of occurrence of the six most numerous taxa were...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fiscus, Clifford H., Rice, Dale W., Wolman, Allen A.
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service 1989
Subjects:
Management
Fisheries
Sperm whale
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1834/20526
Description
Summary:Cephalopod remains (beaks, bodies, and parts of bodies) werecollected from the stomachs of 157 sperm whales (Physetermacrocephalus) taken off central California (lat. 37°-39°N). At least 24 species representing 14 families were identified. Frequencies of occurrence of the six most numerous taxa were Moroteuthis robusta 72.0%, Gonatopsis borealis 66.2%, Histioteuthis dofleini 36.9%, Galiteuthis spp. (including G. phyllura and G. pacifica) 36.3%, Octopoteuthis deletron 35.0%, and Vampyroteuthisinfernalis 27.4%. One find of two Mesonychoteuthishamiltoni beaks strongly suggests transequatorial migration by one large male sperm whale. (PDF file contains 18 pages.)

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