5 research outputs found
Cephalopods from the stomachs of sperm whales taken off California
Cephalopod remains (beaks, bodies, and parts of bodies) were
collected from the stomachs of 157 sperm whales (Physeter
macrocephalus) 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 Vampyroteuthis
infernalis 27.4%. One find of two Mesonychoteuthis
hamiltoni beaks strongly suggests transequatorial migration by one large male sperm whale. (PDF file contains 18 pages.