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Myoglobin in pelagic small cetaceans

M L Dolar1, P Suarez, P J Ponganis

  • 1Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093-0204, USA. mdolar@insci14.ucsd.edu

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|January 12, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Marine mammal myoglobin (Mb) levels were studied in dolphins and a pygmy killer whale. Higher Mb concentrations in swimming muscles and with age suggest enhanced diving capabilities in these cetaceans.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Physiology
  • Zoology

Background:

  • Myoglobin (Mb) is crucial for oxygen storage and diving capacity in marine mammals, but data for cetaceans are scarce.
  • Understanding Mb content and distribution in cetacean muscles provides insights into their diving physiology and foraging strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine myoglobin (Mb) content and distribution in Fraser's and spinner dolphins and a pygmy killer whale.
  • To determine muscle mass composition and its relation to Mb concentration.
  • To investigate the influence of age and muscle function on Mb levels in these cetaceans.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of myoglobin concentration and distribution in muscle tissues from cetacean by-catch.
  • Estimation of age based on body length determination.
  • Analysis of stomach contents to infer diet and foraging behavior.

Main Results:

  • Myoglobin concentrations in the longissimus muscle of adult Fraser's and spinner dolphins, and an immature pygmy killer whale, were higher than previously reported for small cetaceans.
  • In adult dolphins, myoglobin concentrations varied significantly among muscle types, with swimming muscles exhibiting higher levels and containing the majority of total Mb.
  • Myoglobin concentrations increased with size and age in Fraser's and spinner dolphins, being 3-4 times greater in adults than in calves.

Conclusions:

  • High myoglobin concentrations in locomotory muscles support the mesopelagic foraging behavior of Fraser's and spinner dolphins and suggest deep-diving capabilities for the pygmy killer whale.
  • The distribution of myoglobin in epaxial, hypaxial, and abdominal muscles aligns with their proposed locomotory functions.
  • Increased myoglobin levels during development likely correlate with the maturation of diving capacity in these cetacean species.

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