Abstract: Studies of blue whales ( Balaenoptera musculus ) were carried out in the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence during the months of June to October, from 1979 to 1998, with an average effort of 128 days per season. A photographic-identification catalogue of 350 individual blue whales was compiled, and 160 skin biopsies were taken. Gender was determined...
Abstract: Biopsy samples of skin and blubber were collected from live blue whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1996 and 1997. Expression of cytochrome P4501A m-RNA in dermal endothelia was detected immunohistochemically using MAb 1-12-3. Results were scored on a scale of 0- 15, and showed elevated expression in biopsy samples from blue whales off Sept Isle (7.2...
Abstract: Although endangered, very little is known about the population structure of the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The recovery plan for the species prepared by the National Marine Fisheries Service specifically recommends that both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA be analyzed to determine the stock structure. I plan to use introns of conserved nuclear genes to address this question. Genes which...
Abstract: Many studies have been done on the low-frequency sounds of cetaceans. However, few of these studies have involved coincident photoidentification, biopsy, and behavioral observation. In order to make acoustical recordings in conjunction with the regular visual fieldwork done from inflatable boats on the baleen whales of the St. Lawrence, a recording system was designed to meet several requirements. It...
