Blubber fat deposition in mysticeti whales

Abstract

Blubber fats from six fin whales, four sei whales, and one humpbacked whale taken in Nova Scotian waters have been studied. Dorsal, lateral, and ventral samples were compared for thickness, fat contents of inner and outer layers, and the iodine values of the recovered fats. The concept that in "fat" mysticeti whales the iodine value is higher in the inner blubber than in the outer blubber was supported by the results. It is concluded that iodine value fluctuations in one animal in a fattening stage represent surplus polyunsaturated acids deposited first in the inner layer and first in the ventral area. Correspondingly, the outer dorsal blubber is the most stable. Species differences correspond to those for Antarctic animals.