Abstract
Major variations in lipid composition exist within the fatty melon tissue of the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus. Topographical lipid analyses indicate a central “inner melon” core surrounded by distinctive “outer melon”, “under melon”, and blubber tissues. Acoustical considerations suggest that this melon-lipid topography may aid in collimation of the ultrasonic pulses used by the dolphin for echolocation.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Literature Cited
Ackman, R. G., J. C. Sipos, C. A. Eaton, B. L. Hilaman and C. Litchfield. Molecular species of wax esters in the jaw fat of the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. Lipids 8, (1973).
Bergmann, L.: Der Ultraschall, 6th ed. pp 375–384. Zürich: Hirzel Verlag 1954.
Bligh, E. G. and W. J. Dyer: A rapid method of total lipid extraction and purification. Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. 37, 911–917 (1959).
Plomberg, J.: Pilot whale head oil: lipid analysis and ultrasonic studies. In. Program of the XIth Congress of the International Society for Fat Research, Abstract 223. Göteborg: 1972.
Evans, W. E. and J. H. Prescott: Observations of the sound production capabilities of the bottlenose porpoise: a study of whistles and clicks. Zoologica, N.Y. 47, 121–128 (1962).
Gouw, T. H. and J. C. Vlugter: Physical properties of triglycerides. III. Ultrasonic sound velocity. Fette Seifen AnstrMittel 69, 159–163 (1967).
Hart, J. S., L. Irving and B. Mackenzie: The energetics of harbor seals in air and in water with special consideration of seasonal changes. Can. J. Zool. 37 447–457 (1959).
Hustad, G. O., T. Richardson, W. C. Winder and M. P. Dean: Acoustic properties of some lipids. Chem. Phys. Lipids 7, 61–74 (1971).
Litchfield, C., R. G. Ackman, J. C. Sipos and C. A. Eaton: Isovaleroyl triglycerides from the blubber and melon oils of the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). Lipids 6, 674–681 (1971).
Litchfield, C., and A. J. Greenberg: Comparative lipid patterns in the melon fats of dolphins, porpoises and toothed whales. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 46 B, (1973).
—, R. D. Harlow and R. Reiser: Quantitative gas-liquid chromatography of triglycerides. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 42, 849–857 (1965).
McGinnis, S. M., G. C. Whittow, C. A. Ohata and H. Huber: Body heat dissipation and conservation in two species of dolphins. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 43A, 417–423 (1972).
Norris, K. S.: The evolution of acoustic mechanisms in odontocete cetaceans. In: Evolution and environment, pp 297–324. Ed. by E. T. Drake. New Haven: Yale University Press 1968.
— and W. E. Evans: Directionality of echolocation clicks in the rough-tooth porpoise, Steno bredanensis (Lesson). In: Marine bio-acoustics, Vol. 2. pp 305–316. Ed. by W. N. Tavolga. New York: Pergamon Press 1967.
Norris, K. S. and G. W. Harvey: Sound transmission in the porpoise head. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (1973). (In press).
—, J. H. Prescott, P. V. Asa-Dorian and P. Perkins: An experimental demonstration of echolocation behavior in the porpoise, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu). Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 120, 163–176 (1961).
Ridgeway, S. H.: Medical care of marine mammals. J. Am. vet. med. Ass. 147, 1077–1085 (1965).
Varanasi, U. and D. C. Malins: Unique lipids of the porpoise (Tursiops gilli): differences in triacyl glycerols and wax esters of acoustic (mandibular canal and melon) and blubber tissues. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 231, 415–418 (1971).
— Triacylglycerols characteristic of porpoise acoustic tissues: molecular structure of diisovaleroylglycerides. Science, N.Y. 176, 926–928 (1972).
Wedmid, G., C. Litchfield, R. G. Ackman and J. C. Sipos: Heterogeneity of lipid composition within the cephalic melon tissue of the pilot whale (Globicephala melaena). J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 48, p. 332A (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Litchfield, C., Karol, R. & Greenberg, A.J. Compositional topography of melon lipids in the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus: Implications for echo-location. Mar. Biol. 23, 165–169 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389480
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389480