Table Of ContentA HUMPBACK WHALECALFANDTWO SUBADULTDENSE-BEAKED WHALES
RECENTLY STRANDED IN SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
RA. PATERSON, C.J. QUAYLEANDS.M. VANDYCK
Paterson, R.A., Quayle, C.J. & Van Dyck, S.M. 1993 06 30: A HumpbackWhalecalfand
twosubadult Dense-beakedWhalesrecently strandedin southern Queensland. Memoirsof
the QueenslandMuseum33(1): 291-297. Brisbane. ISSN0079-8835.
A new born Humpback Whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae) and two subadult Dense-
beaked Whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) recently stranded on the southern Queensland
coast. The M. densirostris skeletons were recovered together with various soft tissue
material. Thepost-cranial skeletonoftheM. novaeangliaewasnotrecovered.Thelarynges
ofthethreespecimenswereexaminedindetail. Humpback Whale, Dense-beaked Whale,
stranding, Queensland.
R.A. Paterson & S.M. Van Dyck, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane,
Queensland4J01,Australia; C.J. Quayle, BrisbaneClinic, 79WickhamTerrace, Brisbane,
Queensland4000, Australia; 2 December, 1992.
Opportunities to examine stranded balaenop-
terid and ziphiid whales, with the exception of
Minke Whales {Balaenoptera acutorostrata), on
theQueenslandcoastarelimited(Paterson&Van
Dyck, 1990, 1991). Recently, material recovered
from a new born Humpback Whale Megaptera
novaeangliae and two subadult Dense-beaked
Whales Mesoplodon densirostris was a valuable
additionto thecetacean collection in the Queens-
land Museum. The M. novaeangliae specimen is
registeredJM8658 andtheM. densirostris speci-
mens are registered JM8807 and JM9640.
FIG. 2. Extensive superficialrakes onMegapterano-
vaeangliae JM8658. They are considered to be
causedby sharks.
wellasnumeroussuperficialrakes(Figs 1,2).The
whale was refloated and pushed into the surfbut
was found dead at the same location afew hours
later. We examined the carcass three days later.
The largerofthepreviously notedbites extended
deeply into the thoracic muscles and its edges
showed signs ofearly healing indicating that the
FIgGl.iae1.JSMh8a6r5k8b.itTesheonanlteeftrisoirdebiotfeMeexgtaenpdteedradeneopvlayeiannt-o shark attack was not an immediate pre-stranding
thethoracic muscles. event.
Material collected included the skull and man-
dible, blubber and skin samples (the latter for
SPECIMEN DESCRIPTIONS
Humpback Whale
JM8658 was a 4.7m long new born (umbilicus
unhealed) female that stranded alive during the
afternoon of 19 July, 1991 at Eager's Creek
(27°07,S, 153°27'E) on the oceanic shore of
Moreton Island. Two large non-bleeding shark FIG. 3. Recent and healed 'cookie-cutter' lesions on
bites were noted on the left side of the body as Mesoplodon densirostrisJM8807.
292 MEMOIRSOFTHEQUEENSLANDMUSEUM
DNAstudy) andthelarynx. Themid-dorsalblub-
ber thickness was 2.8cm and is consistent with
recent birth. Comparative blubber thicknesses
from aM. novaeangliaecalf, approximately four
weeks old, andayearling in the Queensland Mu-
seum collection are 4.5cm and 9.7cm respec-
tively. The right baleen row numbered 340±5,
consistent with the range for the species (Mat-
thews, 1937). The largestbaleen plates measured
8.5cm in length.
The stranding of a new born M. novaeangliae
atlatitude27°S inJulyconfirmsprevioussighting
&
reports (Chittleborough, 1965; Paterson Pater-
FIG. 4. Close-up view of 'cookie-cutter' lesions on son, 1984, 1989) that occasional calving occurs
MesoplodondensirostrisJM8807. Thethroatgroove
duringthenorthernmigrationofthespeciesalong
characteristicofziphiidsisalsodemonstrated.
the Australian coastat latitudeshigherthan those
FIG. 5. Left,Mesoplodon densirostrisJM8807, Radiograph ofleft pectoral Hipperdemonstratingdistalaspects
ofradius andulna, carpus, metacarpals and phalanges. Skeletal immaturity isevident. The ossification centre
forthe peripheral unciformhas not yetappeared. Right. Mesoplodon densirostrisJM9640, Radiograph ofleft
pectoralflippershowingeightcarpalbonescomparedwithseveninJM8807.(Thetriangularstructureoverlying
thedistal ulnaisfrozensoft tissue from the axillary region.)
STRANDEDWHALES INQUEENSLAND 293
&
at whichcalving is generally considered to occur male M. densirostris described by Paterson
(Chittleborough, 1953;Simmons&Marsh, 1986; Van Dyck (1990). The whalewas darkgrey dor-
Townsend, 1935). sally andlightergrey ventrolaterally,particularly
in the umbilical and genital regions and around
Dense-beakedWhales the V-shaped throat groove characteristic of
JM8807 was a3.8m long female founddead at ziphiids.
dawn on 22 October, 1991 at Main Beach, Point We examined the carcass the day after its dis-
Lookout (27°26'S, 153°33'E) on North Strad- covery. The entire skeleton was collected. The
broke Island. Recent and healed superficial vertebral formula C7; T9; L10; Cdl8=44 is less
'cookie-cutter' lesions were noted and they coa- than counts of46 and 47 in twoM. densirostris
lesced ventrally (Figs 3,4). They were similar to, from the Atlantic coast ofNorth America and 45
but not as extensive as, those noted in a mature in a specimen from Lord Howe Island (Raven,
FIG. 6. Mesoplodon densirostrisJM8807: left,dorsal aspect ofskull; right, dorsal aspectofmandible.
294 MEMOIRS OFTHEQUEENSLAND MUSEUM
FIG. 7. Mesoplodon densirostris JM8807. Left lateral mandibular radiograph demonstrating unerupted tooth
characteristicoffemales.
1942) but is within the range described by Ross areshowninFig.8. Histologicalexaminationwas
(1984). The size discrepancy between the penul- reported as follows:
timate and last caudals suggests the possibility The ovary contains numerous primordial folli-
thatone caudal was lostduring preparation. With cles, a few secondary follicles, occasional cystic
the exception of the coalesced proximal three atretic follicles and some small hyaline scars
cervical vertebrae, the central epiphyses of al! which may represent corpora albicans. No cor-
vertebrae were unfused. The phalangeal formula, pora lutca can be identified.
derived from a radiograph nf the left pectoral The presence of secondary follicles indicates
flipper(Fig. 5), is 1:1, 11:4, 111:4, IV:3, V:2,which sexual maturity is, at least, approached. It is un-
differs slightly from that reported by Kasuya & certain whether ovulation has occurred. If the
Nishiwaki (1971) in a Formosan specimen ofA/. small scars are true corpora albicans this would
densirostris.They (p.133 &fig.1) appeartohave indicate that ovulation had taken place but the
includedthemetacarpalsintheformula.Theskull evidence is insufficientto establish this with cer-
and mandible are shown in Fig. 6. The charac- tainty.
teristicallyshaped unerupted mandibulartoothof Although the ovarian histological evidence in-
female M. densirostris is demonstrated radiog- dicates that this 3.8m long animal was approach-
raphically in Fig. 7. The tooth measured52mmin ingsexual maturity, the lack ofepiphyseal fusion
height, 30mm in length and 9mm in greatest indicates physical immaturity. Thedental, sexual
diameter. Its pulpcavity wascompletely unfilled. andphysical developmentofJM8807 wassimilar
Moderatenematode(Anisalcissp.)andacantho- to that of the 3.56m long Formosan specimen
cephalan (Bolbosoma vasculosum) infestation described by Kasuya & Nishiwaki (1971).
was noted in the stomach and intestine respec- JM9640 was a 3.65m long female found dead
tively. The gastro-intestinal tract was otherwise during the morningof21 June, 1992 atCathedral
empty.
One ovary was collected. Its external features
FIG. 9. 'Cookie-cuitcr" lesionsandcharacteristicthroat
FIG. 8. Mesoplodon densirostris JM8807. External groove of ziphiids on Mesoplodon densirostris
ovarian features. Scale in mm. JM9640.
"
STRANDEDWHALES INQUEENSLAND 295
eight bones (Fig. 5) compared with seven in
JM8807 and the Formosan specimen. Raven
*4 (1942) demonstrated eight carpal bones in an
adult male M. densirostris. We presume that the
ossificationcentreofthe peripheralunciformhad
notyetdevelopedineitherJM8807ortheFormo-
sanspecimenbutaresurprisedattheapparentlate
development ofthis bone which is largerthan its
neighbours in both JM9640 and the specimen
illustrated by Raven (1942).
FIG. 10. Larynx Megaptera novaeangliaeJM8658 in Thelefttoothmeasured54mminheight,47mm
longitudinalsection, medialaspect, with thyroidcar- in length and 10mmin greatestdiameter. Its pulp
tilage removed: (A) epiglottic cartilage; (B) fibrous cavity was extensively obliterated. On the basis
attachment to thyroid cartilage; (C) arytenoid carti- ofthedentalandcarpaldevelopmentweconclude
lage-corpus; (D) arytenoid cartilage-rostral end; (E) that JM9640 was more mature thanJM8807.
cricoid cartilage; (F) tracheal lumen; (G) fundus of
ventral diverticulum; (H) neck of the ventral diver- Laryngeal Structure
ticulum;(I)thyroarytenoidmuscle; (J)interarytenoid Variousauthors, including Benham (1901)and
fibroelastic connection.
Hosokawa(1950),havecomparedthelaryngesof
Beach (25°10*S, 153°13*E) on Fraser Island. mysticetesandodontocetes. The formerarechar-
'Cookie-cutter' lesions ofsimilar distribution to acterised by a large ventral diverticulum sur-
those on JM8807 were evident as well as the rounded by the thyro-arytenoid muscle and the
characteristic throatgroove (Fig. 9). latterbythearyteno-epiglottidealtube,anupward
We
were unable to visit the stranding site to extension of the fused arytenoid and epiglottic
examine the whale but arranged for its head and cartilages into the choana. Those features have
apectoral flippertoberemovedandfrozensothat been demonstrated in JM8658, JM8807 and
they could be subsequently studied in a fresh JM9640.
state. The remainderofthe carcass was buried in
sanddunesbehindthebeachandtheskeletonwas
retrieved two months later. The vertebral epi-
physeal status and vertebral formula (C7; T9;
L10: Cdl8=44)wereidentical toJM8807 butthe
last caudal may have been lost. Unfortunately
numerousribandvertebralfractureshadoccurred
during transportation of the carcass to the sand
dunes and those fractures detractfrom the speci-
men's quality. FIG. 12. Larynx and oesophagus Mesoplodon densi-
The phalangeal formula 1:1, 11:4, 111:4, IV:3, rostrisJM8807 fromdorsal aspect. Thebossedtipof
V:2 is identical to JM8807. The carpus contains thearyteno-epiglottideal tube is shown on theright.
(C) arytenoid cartilage-corpus; (D) arytenoid carti-
lage-rostral end; (F) trachea; (O) oesophagus.
The larynx ofJM8658 is shown in longitudinal
sectioninFig. 1 andthesalientanatomicalstruc-
tures havebeen annotated in conformity with the
description by Quayle (1991) of the larynx of a
male M. novaeangliae ofsimilardevelopment to
JM8658. There is no appreciable difference be-
tween those male and female specimens.
Quayle (1991) consideredthatphonationcould
occur between the apposing arytenoids in mys-
FIG. 11. Larynx Mesoplodon densirostris JM8807 in ticetesalthoughtruevocalcordswerenotevident.
longitudinalsection, medial aspect, with thyroidcar- He alsoproposed afunctional roleforthe ventral
tilage removed. (A) epiglottic cartilage; (B) fibrous
attachment to thyroid cartilage; (C) arytenoid carti- diverticulum in the production of the complex
lage-corpus; (D) arytenoid cartilage-rostral end; (E) sounds ofM. novaeangliae. Mysticetes presum-
cricoidcartilage;(F)tracheallumen;(O)oesophagus. ably generate high pressures within the oral cav-
296 MEMOIRS OFTHEQUEENSLANDMUSEUM
ginwaspartially separatedfromthesuperiorcon-
strictor appeared to 'grip' the aryteno- epiglot-
tideal tube. This circular muscle is the
palato-pharyngeus (Hosokawa, 1950) and it had
an anteriorattachmenttothe vomer. Thedisposi-
tion of the superior constrictor and the palato-
pharyngeus to the aryteno-epiglottideal tube in
We
thelateralposition isdemonstratedin Fig. 14.
postulate that the superior constrictor in combi-
nation with the palato-pharyngeus may act inter
alia to expel water from the choanal region. In
Fig. 15 the laryngo-pharynx is shown in wider
perspective and the palato- pharyngeus has been
FIG. 13. Laryngo-pharynx Mesoplodon densirostris partially retracted. Alarge probe has beenpassed
JM9640 from rostral aspect. (P) palato-pharyngeus; throughtheoro-pharynx.Ittraversesthepyriform
(S) superior constrictor of pharynx; (T) aryteno- fossa (which is beside the larynx) and enters the
epiglottideal tube; (V) vomerine attachment of
oesophagus. This further demonstrates the sepa-
palato-pharyngeus.
ration ofthe aero-digestive tracts in this odonto-
ity and pharynx during feeding when large vol- cete.
umesofwaterare forced through thebaleen. The
ventral diverticulum may have an additional
function in assisting toprevent water fromenter-
ing the trachea.
The larynxofJM8807 is shown in longitudinal
section (Fig. 11) as well as from its dorsal aspect
(Fig. 12). The aryteno- epiglottideal tube is
bossed at its tip and was closely applied to the
posterior narial canal. The almost complete fu-
sionofthearytenoidandepiglotticcartilages and
their relationship to the posterior nares more ef-
fectivelyseparatestheaero-digestivetractsinthis
odontocete compared with JM8658.
Thefreshlaryngo-pharynxofJM9640isshown
in Figs 13,14,15. In Fig. 13 the aryteno-epiglot- FIG. 15. Laryngo-pharynx Mesoplodon densirostris
tidealtubeisdemonstratedfromtherostralaspect JM9640 fromdorso-rostral aspect.The largeprobeis
andalargemuscularcuff(thesuperiorconstrictor seen in the oro- pharynx. It was passed through the
ofthepharynx) isnoted peripherally.The margin left pyriform fossa to enterthe oesophagus which is
ofthis muscle has been dissected from the bony obscured by the retracted superior constrictor and
posteriorchoana. A circular muscle, whose mar- palato-pharyngeus. (P) palato-pharyngeus; (S) supe-
rior constrictor; (T) aryteno-epiglottideal tube; (W)
oro-pharynx.
In this fresh specimen it was not possible to
retract the aryteno-epiglottideal tube. Pilleri
(1979) considered, on the basis of acoustic ex-
periments, thatthe aryteno-epiglottideal tubewas
retracted during deglutition and disagreed with
Rawitz (1900) whostated that food passed to the
sideofthe larynx. Ouropinion,basedonmorpho-
logical considerations, concurs with that of
Rawitz.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FIG. 14. Laryngo-pharynx Mesoplodon densirostris
JM9640from lateral aspect. (F)trachea; (O)oesoph- We are indebted to many people who assisted
agus;(P)palato-pharyngeus;(S)superiorconstrictor; with retrieval and preparation of the specimens.
(T) aryteno-epiglottideal tube; (W) oro-pharynx. AlanGenningesoftheMoretonIslandProtection
STRANDEDWHALES IN QUEENSLAND 297
CommitteephotographedJM8658and Reg Lam- PATERSON, R. & PATERSOR P. 1984. A study of
bert photographedJM8807. Brendan McLarty of the past and present status ofhumpback whales
QNPWS secured JM8658 and transported us to in east Australian waters. Biological Conserva-
the stranding site. Lis Sedlak-Weinstcin of the tion 29: 321-343.
University ofQueensland examined JM8807 for 1989. The status of trie recovering stock ofhump-
parasites and assisted wiQthNrPetWriSeval ofthe speci- back whales Megaptera novaeangtiae in east
men. John Ford of photographed Australian waters. Biological Conservation 47:
JM9640and secured the specimen. Paul Stumkat 33-48.
oftheQueenslandMuseumretrieveditsskeleton. PATERSOR R.A. & VANDYCK, S. 1990. Records
John Musgrave ofSullivan. Nicolaides and Part- ofbeaked whales in Queensland. Scientific Re-
JneMr8s80ar7raanngdeSdtetphheenhiMsatorlmogoicoafltheexXa-mrianyatDieopnarto-f ports ofCetacean Research 1: 63-77.
1991. Studiesof two humpback whales,Megaptcia
ment, Royal Brisbane Hospital took the radio-
graphs. Bruce and Carolyn Cowell patiently and nlaonvda.eMaenmgoUiares.sotrrtahnedQeudeaetnFsrlaasnerdIMsulasned,uQmu3e0e(n2s)-:
skilfully photographed and prepared material al
the Queensland Museum and Jeff Wright took *50.
some ofthe laryngeal photographs. P1LLERI, G. 1979. Sunar Held patterns in cetaceans.
feedingbehaviourandthefunctionalsignificance
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<rftheZoological SocietyofLondon 1:278-300. humpback whale calf with a review ol Us func-
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wshpaelrem awnhdalteh.eSucriyelnetniof-icepRiegploortttisdeoaflIlhuebeWhoafltehse Provincial Museums (Natural History,! I
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eonfliMleiscoRpetpoodrtosnotfieIrhuteirWohiales Research Insi\,iiSnciie*, ShcuimenptbiaficckRwehpaolrtessoiln tGhreeaWthaBlatetsieRresReeaerfchWatInesrisi.
Tokyo 23: 12°-1~ lute,Tokyo37: 41-46.
MATTHEWS. LH I ihe i.umpback wha lovvNshNi). C.H, f9 if istribution "i certaiii
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whttli gica 19- I 50.
