New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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DISTRIBUTION OF BEAKED WHALES (CETACEA: ZIPHIIDAE) OFF SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND

D. E. Gaskin*

Department of Zoology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract Sightings of 40 beaked whales (Cetacea:Ziphiidae) in waters to the east and south of New Zealand are discussed in relation to surface temperatures. (Only Mesoplodon layardi was specifically identified, once.) All but two sightings were recorded within a temperature range of 11.6°c to 16.9°c with a mean of 15.11 ± 0.53°c, which suggests that these animals were distributed adjacent to the Subtropical Convergence (approximately delineated by the 15°c isotherm in summer). The distribution of sightings indicates fewer ziphiids south of the Subtropical Convergence. Possibly this boundary marks the lower temperature tolerance of most species. The two anomalous sightings at 55° S in 7.3°c of water were probably close to the Antarctic Convergence (near the 4°c isotherm in summer).

N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 5 (2): 318-25
(Received for publication 13 December 1968)

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (422K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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