Southern Ocean Cetacean
Environment Program (SOCEP)
Australian Antarctic Cetacean Stranding Network (AACSN)
8 January 2000
Ari Friedlaender, Vic Peddemors, Bec Pirzl, and Julie Barnes
were flown into Lake Barkell, adjacent to the Colbeck Archipelago, in Mac.Robertson
Land to investigate the remains of a whale skeleton that had been reported by
expeditioners at Mawson as early as 1986. Once the remains were located, the
team set to identifying the species of whale. After some discussion and consultation,
it was decided that the remains were that of a Minke whale (Baleanoptera
acutorostrata). The team took measurements of several different bones that
will be useful to experts back home if the species allocation comes into question.
Scattered around a 200 metre radius were the skull (reasonably intact), the
lower left mandible, several ribs, three vertebrae, and the left scapula. The
distal tip of the skull had been weathered away, so its overall length could
not be determined. There were no biological tools remaining to help determine
the age of the animal, but the dimensions of the skull can be useful for putting
the animal into a relative age class. Not surprisingly, the cause of death for
this animal was not determined. For all involved, the trip proved to be a wonderful
experience, hopefully representative of many more exciting and scientifically
valuable excursions to investigate cetacean strandings on the Antarctic continent.
View of the skull as it was found, ventral surface facing
up. The two maxilla are detached. The lower left mandible can also be seen. |
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Ari and Bec begin taking measurements while Vic and Julie
record data. |
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Measuring the width of the skull. Note the two large nasal
openings above the tape. |
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