sperm whale
Goold J.C. & Clarke M.R. (2000). Sound velocity in the head of the dwarf
sperm whale, Kogia sima, with anatomical and functional discussion.
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK, 80(3), 535-542.
The velocity of sound through spermaceti oil from the melon of two Kogia
sima (Owen, 1866) specimens, stranded in Florida in 1995, was determined
across a range of temperatures between 7 and 38ºC and at pressures between
0 and 90 atm. Sound velocity values ranged between 1395-1669 m/s,
increasing linearly with increasing pressure but decreasing non-linearly
with increasing temperature. Polynomials were generated to describe sound
velocity as a function of temperature and pressure for the core and
peripheral lipids of the melon. The results suggest that, at normal body
temperature, sound travelling from the back to the front of the melon would
have a tendency to focus during dives to any depth, largely due to heat
exchange across the periphery of the melon. Effects of changes in ambient
temperature and pressure are described and discussed in relation to
anatomy.
-----------------
Dr. John C. Goold
Development & Academic Manager
Institute of Environmental Science
University of Wales, Bangor
Robinson Building
Deiniol Road
Bangor
Gwynedd. LL57 2UW. UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1248 388165
Fax: +44 (0)1248 383646
Email: j.c.goold@bangor.ac.uk
Web: http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ies/ies.html
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