Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Compositional topography of melon lipids in the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus: Implications for echo-location

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bligh, E. G. and W. J. Dyer: A rapid method of total lipid extraction and purification. Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. 37, 911–917 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouw, T. H. and J. C. Vlugter: Physical properties of triglycerides. III. Ultrasonic sound velocity. Fette Seifen AnstrMittel 69, 159–163 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hustad, G. O., T. Richardson, W. C. Winder and M. P. Dean: Acoustic properties of some lipids. Chem. Phys. Lipids 7, 61–74 (1971).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • — 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridgeway, S. H.: Medical care of marine mammals. J. Am. vet. med. Ass. 147, 1077–1085 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • — Triacylglycerols characteristic of porpoise acoustic tissues: molecular structure of diisovaleroylglycerides. Science, N.Y. 176, 926–928 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. C. Litchfield

    Present address: Department of Biochemistry, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA

    R. Karol & A. J. Greenberg

Authors
  1. C. Litchfield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Karol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. J. Greenberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389480

Keywords

Search

Navigation