Beaked whale necropsy findings for strandings in the bahamas, puerto rico, and madeira, 1999-2002

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TitleBeaked whale necropsy findings for strandings in the bahamas, puerto rico, and madeira, 1999-2002
Publication TypeReport
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsKetten, D. R.
Series TitleWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution Technical Publication
Pagination34
Date Published11/2005
InstitutionWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution
CityWoods Hole
TypeTechnical Report
Report NumberWHOI-2005-09
Keywordsacoustic trauma, air emboli, anthropogenic sound, beaked whales, blast trauma, DCS, decompression sickness, decompression syndrome, diving, emboli, explosive trauma, histopathology, impulse noise, marine mammals, mass stranding, noise, noise exposure, odontocetes, sonar, trauma
Abstract

Under ONR contract N0000140010284 and at the request of several Navy offices and NMFS, Dr. D.R. Ketten (WHOI/Harvard Medical School) traveled 19-22 January, 2000 to Puerto Rico to examine the remains of beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) and (Mesoplodon spp.) that stranded in Puerto Rico and nearby Caribbean waters between October, 1999 and January, 2000. The examinations were carried out to determine whether the remaining tissues showed any evidence of auditory trauma or other pathology relevant to the recorded stranding events. Three of the residual skulls, minus lower jaw and in some cases ear elements, were sent by Dr. Anthony Mignucci and received in June, 2001 at WHOI for additional examinations.