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.
