Dear MARMAM:

The Following paper has been published online in Marine Biodiversity Records
Juan-Pablo Gallo-Reynoso, Janitzio Égido-Villarreal and Elsa-María
Coria-Galindo. 2009. Sperm whale distribution and diving behaviour in
relation to presence of jumbo squid in Guaymas Basin, Mexico. Marine
Biodiversity Records. doi:10.1017/S1755267209990571


Abstract
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus distribution was compared to acoustic
backscatter observations in the Gulf of California. Forty-three sperm whale
groups totalling 813 individuals were encountered during 28 observation days
 Sperm whales occurred over deep waters (mean depth = 659 mrange: 300–1800
m). A significant correlation was found between the whales' maximum depth of
dive and depth of the acoustic scattering layer (N = 36r2 = 0.944P = 0.000).
We observed sperm whales dive to the scattering layer and then surface with
prey in their jaws: jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas (10 events) and unidentified
fish (one event). The average depth of sperm whale foraging dives to the
scattering layer was 342 m the average diving time was 23 minutesand the
average surface interval between foraging dives was 6 minutes. Sperm whales
spent 75% of their time diving and 25% on the surface. Swimming speed at the
surface was slower when whales reached scattering layers during a dive (2.4
km/h) compared to dives when no scattering layer was reached (8.9 km/h). Our
results establish a direct link between sperm whale distribution and
presence of its prey in the Gulf of California.

For more information contact Dr. Juan Pablo Gallo: jpga...@ciad.mx

Kind regards,

Janitzio

MDI Janitzio Égido Villarreal
Investigador Asociado
Laboratorio de Ecofisiología
CIAD - Unidad Guaymas
Carretera al Varadero Nacional Km 6.6
Col. Las Playitas
Guaymas, Sonora 85480
MEXICO
Tel.: 01(622) 22 1 65 33 Ext. 117 

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