Sperm whales,Physeter macrocephalus, in the Mediterranean Sea: a summary of status, threats, and conservation recommendations

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 4-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Notarbartolo-Di-Sciara
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
The Mediterranean

Occurrence of anthropozoonotic parasitic infections and faecal microbes in free-ranging sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) from the Mediterranean Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 117 (8) ◽  
pp. 2531-2541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Hermosilla ◽  
J. Hirzmann ◽  
L. M. R. Silva ◽  
J. M. Brotons ◽  
M. Cerdà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Free Ranging

Summer social distribution of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Mediterranean Sea

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 675-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violaine Drouot ◽  
Alexandre Gannier ◽  
John C. Goold
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
The Body ◽  
Southern Region ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
The North ◽  
Social Distribution ◽  
The Mediterranean

Sperm whale social distribution was investigated in the Mediterranean Sea, using data collected during summer surveys from 1997 to 2002. Variations in the size of sperm whale schools/underwater aggregations were assessed using both visual and acoustic data. Individual body lengths were estimated acoustically, using the click inter-pulse intervals. Regional comparisons were undertaken, taking the 41° parallel as a north/south boundary. In the southern region, schools of up to seven sperm whales were sighted and calves were relatively frequent. The animals ranged between 8·6 m and 13·1 m long. In the northern region, school sizes were significantly smaller, with a maximum of three whales sighted at the surface. However, the acoustic survey showed that sperm whales form loose aggregations of up to five animals in certain areas. Whales detected in the north were 12·6 m long on average, and the body size range was relatively small. This summer survey demonstrated a segregation of males, in the north, from larger schools including calves, which seemed to be confined to the southern region.

SST fronts and the summer sperm whale distribution in the north-west Mediterranean Sea

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Gannier ◽  
Emilie Praca
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Relative Distribution ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
The North ◽  
North Western ◽  
Sst Fronts

The relative distribution of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and sea surface temperature (SST) fronts have been studied in summer in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. We used passive acoustic data (778 samples) obtained offshore during dedicated surveys between 1999 and 2004 and Pathfinder/Modis remote sensing data to compute front maps and to calculate mean distances from sperm whale detections (N=132) to SST-fronts. Mean distances from sperm whale acoustic detections to SST-fronts were significantly lower (10.4 km) than from other acoustic samples to those fronts (17.0 km). The same result was obtained when calculating distances from sperm whales to the North Balearic Front surface signature. If sperm whales are commonly observed along the continental slope, we showed that offshore individuals were located close to SST-fronts. This bimodal distribution in the north-western Mediterranean is linked to sperm whale feeding strategy, demonstrating ecological opportunistic behaviour in this high level predator.

Evaluation of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and PBDEs in sperm whales from the Mediterranean Sea

2019 ◽  
Vol 653 ◽  
pp. 1417-1425 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bartalini ◽  
J. Muñoz-Arnanz ◽  
L. Marsili ◽  
S. Mazzariol ◽  
M.C. Fossi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
The Mediterranean

scholarly journals Wild whale faecal samples as a proxy of anthropogenic impact

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Marangi ◽  
Sabina Airoldi ◽  
Luciano Beneduce ◽  
Claudio Zaccone
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
Free Ranging

AbstractThe occurrence of protozoan parasite, bacterial communities, organic pollutants and heavy metals was investigated in free-ranging species of fin (Balaenoptera physalus, n. 2) and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus, n. 2) whales from the Pelagos Sanctuary, Corsican-Ligurian Provencal Basin (Northern-Western Mediterranean Sea). Out of four faecal samples investigated, two from fin whales and one from sperm whale were found positive to Blastocystis sp. A higher number of sequences related to Synergistetes and Spirochaetae were found in sperm whales if compared with fin whales. Moreover, As, Co and Hg were found exclusively in sperm whale faecal samples, while Pb was found only in fin whale faecal samples. The concentration of both PAH and PCB was always below the limit of detection. This is the first report in which the presence of these opportunistic pathogens, bacteria and chemical pollutants have been investigated in faecal samples of free-ranging whale species and the first record of Blastocystis in fin and sperm whales. Thus, this study may provide baseline data on new anthropozoonotic parasite, bacterial records and heavy metals in free-ranging fin and sperm whales, probably as a result of an increasing anthropogenic activity. This survey calls for more integrated research to perform regular monitoring programs supported by national and/or international authorities responsible for preservation of these still vulnerable and threatened whale species in the Mediterranean Sea.

POPs in free-ranging pilot whales, sperm whales and fin whales from the Mediterranean Sea: Influence of biological and ecological factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Pinzone ◽  
Hélène Budzinski ◽  
Aurélie Tasciotti ◽  
Denis Ody ◽  
Gilles Lepoint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
Pilot Whales ◽  
Free Ranging
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