Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Mikhalev, Yu. A.

Titel

Killer whales of Antarctica: distribution and some aspects of biology

Ist Teil von

• Ukraïnsʹkyĭ antarktychnyĭ z͡h︡urnal, 2016 (15), p.122-130

Ort / Verlag

Kiev

Erscheinungsjahr

2016

Quelle

EZB Electronic Journals Library

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Data on killer whale catch by the Odessa whaling fleet in the period 1961-1979 are analyzed. The total catch volume (323 killer whales) is indicated. The length of 205 male individuals ranged from 4.5 to 9 m, their average length made up 7.26 m. Monthly maps of the killer whales distribution have been plotted for the Antarctic zone and adjacent areas. Their seasonal migrations have been tracked. Schools of 5-15 killer whales were most frequent for observations. Gonads of 57 males and 63 females were weighed. The average length of testes equaled 55 cm, and its average diameter was 22 cm. Based on the size of the reproductive organs, body proportions and distribution zones, it is suggested that, except for Orcinus orca, there is one more form (Orcinus nana), the one with a shorter body size.