Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

On a sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus stranded at Krusadai Island in the Gulf of Mannar, with an up-to-date list and diagonostic features of whales stranded along the indian Coast.

Volume 21 Issue 1&2

P. S. B. R. James and R. Soundaran

Abstract

A male sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus was beached on the southern side of Krusadai Island (Gulf of Mannar) on 30th April 1980. Since it is of a very rare instance and since only meagre information is available on sperm whales from the seas around India, a detailed description on the stranded whale is given in this paper. In addition, another instance of stranding of a sperm whale, evidently a male, at Manauli Island in 1979 is also briefly mentioned. An up-to-date list of stranding of whales of different species along the Indian Coast from 1748 and their diagnostic features to facilitate identification have also been included. A proforma for taking measurements and collecting other details on stranded whales along the Indian Coast has been suggested.

Date : 31-12-1979