Abstract
A midsagittal slice was cut from the fatty melon tissue in the head of an adult pilot whale and sampled at 18 points based on a grid pattern. The lipids were extracted from each sample and analyzed for iodine value and lipid class composition. Three selected samples were examined in detail for molecular species, fatty acid, and fatty alcohol composition using thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. Results show that wax esters and triglycerides of both isovaleric and long-chain acids are present in all samples but in varying proportions. Saturated isovaleroyl wax esters and diisovaleroyl triglycerides predominate in the inner part of the melon near the upper jawbone. Concentrations of unsaturated wax esters and triglycerides containing only long-chain acids are highest in the outer part of the melon nearer the skin of the animal. Hence the postulated acoustical function of the pilot whale melon during echolocation must be reconciled with a heterogeneous rather than a homogeneous composition.
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