Cetacean Skeletons at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France by Dr-Norman Khalaf

Cetacean Skeletons at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (National Museum of Natural History) in Paris, France ‫الهياكل العظمية للقياطس (الحيتان) في متحف التاريخ الطبيعي باريس‬ By : Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa

Skeleton of the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

On Monday 29.08.2016, I visited the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (National Museum of Natural History) in Paris, France, accompanied with my beloved wife Ola Mostafa Esmail Khalaf and my beloved daughter Nora Norman Ali Khalaf. It is the national natural history museum of France and a grand établissement of higher education part of Sorbonne Universities. The main museum is located in Paris, France, on the left bank of the River Seine. It was founded in 1793 during the French Revolution, but was established earlier in 1635. As of 2017, the museum has 14 sites throughout France, with four in Paris, including the original location at the royal botanical garden, the Jardin des Plantes, which remains one of the seven departments of MNHN (Wikipedia). During my visit, I visited the main hall, which contains skeletons of various cetacean species. The Cetacean skeletons belonged to: The Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) and the Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus).

The Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus Linnaeus, 1758) is a marine mammal belonging to the baleen whales (Mysticeti). At 30 metres (98 feet) in length and 170 tonnes (190 short tons) or more in weight, it is the largest existing animal and the heaviest that ever existed (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). Long and slender, the blue whale's body can be various shades of bluish-grey dorsally and somewhat lighter underneath. There are at least three distinct subspecies: Balaenoptera musculus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, Balaenoptera musculus intermedia Burmeister, 1871 of the Southern Ocean and Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda Ichihara, 1966 (also known as the Pygmy Blue Whale) found in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean. Balaenoptera musculus indica Blyth, 1859, found in the Indian Ocean, may be another subspecies. As with other baleen whales, its diet consists almost exclusively of small crustaceans known as krill (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). Blue whales were abundant in nearly all the oceans on Earth until the beginning of the twentieth century. For over a century, they were hunted almost to extinction by whalers until protected by the international community in 1966. A 2002 report estimated there were 5,000 to 12,000 blue whales worldwide, located in at least five groups. More recent research into the Pygmy subspecies suggests this may be an underestimate. Before whaling, the largest population was in the Antarctic, numbering approximately 239,000 (range 202,000 to 311,000). There remain only much smaller (around 2,000) concentrations in each of the eastern North Pacific, Antarctic, and Indian Ocean groups. There are two more groups in the North Atlantic, and at least two in the Southern Hemisphere (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018).

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Skeleton of the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Taxonomy Blue whales are rorquals (family Balaenopteridae), a family that includes the Humpback Whale, the Fin Whale, Bryde's Whale, the Sei Whale, and the Minke Whale. The family Balaenopteridae is believed to have diverged from the other families of the suborder Mysticeti as long ago as the middle Oligocene (28 Ma ago). It is not known when the members of those families diverged from each other (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). The Blue Whale is usually classified as one of eight species in the genus Balaenoptera; one authority places it in a separate monotypic genus, Sibbaldus, but this is not accepted elsewhere. DNA sequencing analysis indicates that the Blue Whale is phylogenetically closer to the Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis) and Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei) than to other Balaenoptera species, and closer to the Humpback Whale (Megaptera) and the Gray Whale (Eschrichtius) than to the Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata and Balaenoptera bonaerensis). If further research confirms these relationships, it will be necessary to reclassify the rorquals (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). There have been at least 11 documented cases of blue/fin hybrid adults in the wild. Arnason and Gullberg (1993) describe the genetic distance between a blue and a fin as about the same as that between a human and a gorilla. Researchers working off Fiji believe they photographed a hybrid humpback/blue whale (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). The first published description of the blue whale comes from Robert Sibbald's book “Phalainologia Nova” (1694). In September 1692, Sibbald found a blue whale that had stranded in the Firth of Forth—a male 24 m (78 feet)-long—which had "black, horny plates" and "two large apertures approaching a pyramid in shape" (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). The specific name musculus is Latin and could mean "muscle", but it can also be interpreted as "little mouse". Carl Linnaeus, who named the species in his seminal “Systema Naturae” of 1758, would have known this and may have intended the ironic double meaning. Herman Melville called this species sulphur-bottom in his novel “Moby-Dick” due to an orange-brown or yellow tinge underparts from diatom films on the skin. Other common names for the Blue Whale have included Sibbald's Rorqual (after Sibbald, who first described the species), the Great Blue Whale and the Great Northern Rorqual. These names have now fallen into disuse. The first known usage of the term Blue Whale was in Melville's “Moby-Dick”, which only mentions it in passing and does not specifically attribute it to the species in question. The name was really derived from the Norwegian Blåhval, coined by Svend Foyn shortly after he had perfected the harpoon gun; the Norwegian scientist G. O. Sars adopted it as the Norwegian common name in 1874 (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). Authorities classify the species into three or four subspecies: B. m. musculus, the Northern Blue Whale consisting of the North Atlantic and North Pacific populations, B. m. intermedia, the Southern Blue Whale of the Southern Ocean, B. m. brevicauda, Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

the Pygmy Blue Whale found in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, and the more problematic B. m. indica, the Great Indian Rorqual, which is also found in the Indian Ocean and, although described earlier, may be the same subspecies as B. m. brevicauda (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018).

Description and Behaviour The Blue Whale has a long tapering body that appears stretched in comparison with the stockier build of other whales. The head is flat, U-shaped and has a prominent ridge running from the blowhole to the top of the upper lip. The front part of the mouth is thick with baleen plates; around 300 plates (each around one metre (3.2 feet) long) hang from the upper jaw, running 0.5 m (1.6 feet) back into the mouth. Between 70 and 118 grooves (called ventral pleats) run along the throat parallel to the body length. These pleats assist with evacuating water from the mouth after lunge feeding (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). The dorsal fin is small, ranging in height from 8–70 centimeters (3.1–27.6 in) (usually 20–40 centimeters (7.9–15.7 in)) and averaging about 28 centimeters (11 in). It is visible only briefly during the dive sequence. Located around three-quarters of the way along the length of the body, it varies in shape from one individual to another; some only have a barely perceptible lump, but others may have prominent and falcate (sickleshaped) dorsals. When surfacing to breathe, the Blue Whale raises its shoulder and blowhole out of the water to a greater extent than other large whales, such as the Fin or Sei Whales. Observers can use this trait to differentiate between species at sea. Some Blue Whales in the North Atlantic and North Pacific raise their tail fluke when diving. When breathing, the whale emits a spectacular vertical single-column spout up to 12 metres (39 feet), typically 9 metres (30 feet). Its lung capacity is 5,000 litres (1320 U.S. gallons). Blue Whales have twin blowholes shielded by a large splashguard (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). The flippers are 3–4 metres (9.8–13.1 feet) long. The upper sides are grey with a thin white border; the lower sides are white. The head and tail fluke are generally uniformly grey. The whale's upper parts, and sometimes the flippers, are usually mottled. The degree of mottling varies substantially from individual to individual. Some may have a uniform slate-grey color, but others demonstrate a considerable variation of dark blues, greys and blacks, all tightly mottled (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). Blue Whales can reach speeds of 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph) over short bursts, usually when interacting with other whales, but 20 kilometres per hour (12 mph) is a more typical traveling speed. When feeding, they slow down to 5 kilometres per hour (3.1 mph) (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). Blue Whales most commonly live alone or with one other individual. It is not known how long traveling pairs stay together. In locations where there is a high concentration of food, as many as 50 blue whales have been seen scattered over a small area. They do not form the large, close-knit groups seen in other baleen species (Wikipedia; Khalaf, August 2015, November 2018). Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Skeleton of the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

The Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758), or Cachalot, is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of genus Physeter, and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus Kogia (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018, December 2018). The sperm whale is a pelagic mammal with a worldwide range, and will migrate seasonally for feeding and breeding. Females and young males live together in groups while mature males live solitary lives outside of the mating season. The females cooperate to protect and nurse their young. Females give birth every four to twenty years, and care for the calves for more than a decade. A mature sperm whale has few natural predators, although calves and weakened adults are sometimes killed by pods of orcas (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018, December 2018). Mature males average 16 metres (52 feet) in length but some may reach 20.5 metres (67 feet), with the head representing up to one-third of the animal's length. Plunging to 2,250 metres (7,382 feet), it is the second deepest diving mammal, following only the Cuvier's beaked whale (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018, December 2018). The sperm whale is a prominent user of echolocation and communication, with vocalization as loud as 230 decibels (re 1 µPa at 1 m) underwater. It has the largest brain of any animal on Earth, more than five times heavier than a human's. Sperm whales can live for more than 60 years (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018, December 2018). The spermaceti oil from which the whale derives its name was a prime target of the whaling industry, and was dominant for use in oil lamps, lubricants, and candles. Ambergris is a solid waxy waste product from its digestive system. It is still highly valued as a fixative in perfumes and other uses. It remains as flotsam from deceased whales, and is sought by beachcombers. The species is now protected by a whaling moratorium, and is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018).

Etymology The name ‘sperm whale’ is a truncation of ‘spermaceti whale’. Spermaceti, originally mistakenly identified as the whales' semen, is the semi-liquid, waxy substance found within the whale's head. The sperm whale is also known as the "cachalot", which is thought to derive from the archaic French for "tooth" or "big teeth", as preserved for example in ‘cachau’ in the Gascon dialect (a word of either Romance or Basque origin). The etymological dictionary of Corominas says the origin is uncertain, but it suggests that it comes from the Vulgar Latin cappula, plural of cappulum, "sword hilt". The word cachalot came to English via French from Spanish or Portuguese cachalote, perhaps from Galician/Portuguese cachola, "big head". The term is retained in the Russian word for the animal, кашалот (kashalot), as well as in many other languages (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Skeleton of the Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

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The scientific genus name Physeter comes from Greek physētēr (φυσητήρ), meaning "blowpipe, blowhole (of a whale)", or – as a pars pro toto – "whale". The specific name macrocephalus is Latinized from the Greek makrokephalos (μακροκέφαλος, meaning "bigheaded"), from makros (μακρός, "large") + kefalos (κέφαλος, "head") (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). Its synonymous specific name catodon means "down-tooth", from the Greek elements cat(a)- ("below") and odṓn ("tooth"); so named because it has visible teeth only in its lower jaw. Another synonym australasianus ("Australasian") was applied to sperm whales in the southern hemisphere (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018).

Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf-von Jaffa infront of the Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) skeleton at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by Ola and Nora Khalaf. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

Taxonomy The sperm whale belongs to the order Cetartiodactyla, the order containing all cetaceans and even-toed ungulates. It is a member of the unranked clade Cetacea, with all the whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and further classified into Odontoceti, containing all the toothed whales and dolphins. It is the sole extant species of its genus, Physeter, in the family Physeteridae. Two species of the related extant genus Kogia, the pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps and the dwarf sperm whale Kogia simus, are placed either in this family or in the family Kogiidae. In some taxonomic schemes the families Kogiidae and Physeteridae are combined as the superfamily Physeteroidea (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Skeleton of the Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

The sperm whale is one of the species originally described by Linnaeus in 1758 in his eighteenth century work, ‘Systema Naturae’. He recognised four species in the genus Physeter. Experts soon realised that just one such species exists, although there has been debate about whether this should be named Physeter catodon or Physeter macrocephalus, two of the names used by Linnaeus. Both names are still used, although most recent authors now accept macrocephalus as the valid name, limiting catodon's status to a lesser synonym. Until 1974, the species was generally known as Physeter catodon. In that year, however, Husson & Holthuis proposed that the correct name should be Physeter macrocephalus, the second name in the genus Physeter published by Linnaeus concurrently with Physeter catodon. This proposition was based on the grounds that the names were synonyms published simultaneously, and, therefore, the ICZN Principle of the First Reviser should apply. In this instance, it led to the choice of Physeter macrocephalus over Physeter catodon, a view re-stated in Holthuis, 1987. This has been adopted by most subsequent authors, although Schevill (1986 and 1987) argued that macrocephalus was published with an inaccurate description and that therefore only the species catodon was valid, rendering the principle of "First Reviser" inapplicable. The most recent version of ITIS has altered its usage from Physeter catodon to Physeter macrocephalus, following L. B. Holthuis and more recent (2008) discussions with relevant experts. Furthermore, The Taxonomy Committee of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, the largest international association of marine mammal scientists in the world, officially uses Physeter macrocephalus when publishing their definitive list of marine mammal species (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

External appearance The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale, with adult males measuring up to 20.5 metres (67 feet) long and weighing up to 57,000 kilograms (56 long tons; 63 short tons). By contrast, the second largest toothed whale (Baird's Beaked Whale) measures 12.8 metres (42 feet) and weighs up to 15 short tons (14,000 kg). The Nantucket Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, USA, has 5.5 metres (18 feet)-long jawbone. The museum claims that this individual was 24 metres (80 feet) long; the whale that sank the ‘Essex’ (one of the incidents behind ‘Moby-Dick’) was claimed to be 26 metres (85 feet). A similar size is reported from a jawbone from the British Natural History Museum in London. A 20 meters specimen is reported from a Soviet whaling fleet near the Kuril Islands in 1950. There is disagreement on the claims of adult males approaching or exceeding 24 metres (80 feet) in length (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). Extensive whaling may have decreased their size, as males were highly sought, primarily after World War II. Today, males do not usually exceed 18.3 metres (60 feet) in length or 51,000 kilograms (50 long tons; 56 short tons) in weight. Another view holds that exploitation by over-whaling had virtually no effect on the size of the bull sperm whales, and their size may have actually increased in current times on the basis of density dependent effects. Old males taken at Solander Islands, southern New Zealand, were recorded to be extremely large and unusually rich in blubbers (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). It is among the most sexually dimorphic of all cetaceans. At birth both sexes are about the same size, but mature males are typically 30% to 50% longer, and three times as massive as females (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). The sperm whale's unique body is unlikely to be confused with any other species. The sperm whale's distinctive shape comes from its very large, block-shaped head, which can be one-quarter to one-third of the animal's length. The S-shaped blowhole is located very close to the front of the head and shifted to the whale's left. This gives rise to a distinctive bushy, forward-angled spray (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). The sperm whale's flukes (tail lobes) are triangular and very thick. Proportionally, they are larger than that of any other cetacean, and are very flexible. The whale lifts its flukes high out of the water as it begins a feeding dive. It has a series of ridges on the back's caudal third instead of a dorsal fin. The largest ridge was called the 'hump' by whalers, and can be mistaken for a dorsal fin because of its shape and size (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). In contrast to the smooth skin of most large whales, its back skin is usually wrinkly and has been likened to a prune by whale-watching enthusiasts. Albinos have been reported (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018).

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Skeleton The ribs are bound to the spine by flexible cartilage, which allows the ribcage to collapse rather than snap under high pressure. While sperm whales are well adapted to diving, repeated dives to great depths have long-term effects. Bones show the same pitting that signals decompression sickness in humans. Older skeletons showed the most extensive pitting, whereas calves showed no damage. This damage may indicate that sperm whales are susceptible to decompression sickness, and sudden surfacing could be lethal to them (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). Like all cetaceans, the spine of the sperm whale has reduced zygapophysial joints, of which the remnants are modified and are positioned higher on the vertebral dorsal spinous process, hugging it laterally, to prevent extensive lateral bending and facilitate more dorso-ventral bending. These evolutionary modifications make the spine more flexible but weaker than the spines of terrestrial vertebrates (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). As with other toothed whales, the skull of the sperm whale is asymmetrical so as to aid echolocation. Sound waves that strike the whale from different directions will not be channeled in the same way. Within the basin of the cranium, the openings of the bony narial tubes (from which the nasal passages spring) are skewed towards the left side of the skull (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018).

Jaws and Teeth The sperm whale's lower jaw is very narrow and underslung. The sperm whale has 18 to 26 teeth on each side of its lower jaw which fit into sockets in the upper jaw. The teeth are cone-shaped and weigh up to 1 kilogram each. The teeth are functional, but do not appear to be necessary for capturing or eating squid, as well-fed animals have been found without teeth or even with deformed jaws. One hypothesis is that the teeth are used in aggression between males. Mature males often show scars which seem to be caused by the teeth. Rudimentary teeth are also present in the upper jaw, but these rarely emerge into the mouth. Analyzing the teeth is the preferred method for determining a whale's age. Like the age-rings in a tree, the teeth build distinct layers of cementum and dentine as they grow (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018).

Brain The brain is the largest known of any modern or extinct animal, weighing on average about 7.8 kilograms, more than five times heavier than a human's, and has a volume of about 8,000 cm3. Although larger brains generally correlate with higher intelligence, it is not the only factor. Elephants and dolphins also have larger brains than humans. The sperm whale has a lower encephalization quotient than many other whale and dolphin species, lower than that of non-human anthropoid apes, and much lower than humans' (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018).

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The sperm whale's cerebrum is the largest in all mammalia, both in absolute and relative terms. The olfactory system is reduced, suggesting that the sperm whale has a poor sense of taste and smell. By contrast, the auditory system is enlarged. The pyramidal tract is poorly developed, reflecting the reduction of its limbs (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018).

Information sign of the Sperm Whale (Physeter catodon) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

Biological Systems The sperm whale respiratory system has adapted to cope with drastic pressure changes when diving. The flexible ribcage allows lung collapse, reducing nitrogen intake, and metabolism can decrease to conserve oxygen. Between dives, the sperm whale surfaces to breathe for about eight minutes before diving again. Odontoceti (toothed whales) breathe air at the surface through a single, S-shaped blowhole, which is extremely skewed to the left. Sperm whales spout (breathe) 3–5 times per minute at rest, increasing to 6–7 times per minute after a dive. The blow is a noisy, single stream that Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

rises up to 2 metres (6.6 feet) or more above the surface and points forward and left at a 45° angle. On average, females and juveniles blow every 12.5 seconds before dives, while large males blow every 17.5 seconds before dives. A sperm whale killed 160 km (100 mi) south of Durban, South Africa after a 1-hour, 50-minute dive was found with two dogfish (Scymnodon sp.), usually found at the sea floor, in its belly (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). The sperm whale has the longest intestinal system in the world, exceeding 300 meters in larger specimens. Similar to ruminants the sperm whale has a four-chambered stomach. The first secretes no gastric juices and has very thick muscular walls to crush the food (since whales cannot chew) and resist the claw and sucker attacks of swallowed squid. The second chamber is larger and is where digestion takes place. Undigested squid beaks accumulate in the second chamber – as many as 18,000 have been found in some dissected specimens. Most squid beaks are vomited by the whale, but some occasionally make it to the hindgut. Such beaks precipitate the formation of ambergris (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). In 1959, the heart of a 22 metric-tons (24 short-tons) male taken by whalers was measured to be 116 kilograms (256 pound), about 0.5% of its total mass. The circulatory system has a number of specific adaptations for the aquatic environment. The diameter of the aortic arch increases as it leaves the heart. This bulbous expansion acts as a windkessel, ensuring a steady blood flow as the heart rate slows during diving. The arteries that leave the aortic arch are positioned symmetrically. There is no costocervical artery. There is no direct connection between the internal carotid artery and the vessels of the brain. Their circulatory system has adapted to dive at great depths, as much as 2,250 metres (7,382 feet). Myoglobin, which stores oxygen in muscle tissue, is much more abundant than in terrestrial animals. The blood has a high density of red blood cells, which contain oxygen-carrying haemoglobin. The oxygenated blood can be directed towards only the brain and other essential organs when oxygen levels deplete. The spermaceti organ may also play a role by adjusting buoyancy. The arterial retia mirabilia are extraordinarily well-developed. The complex arterial retia mirabilia of the sperm whale are more extensive and larger than those of any other cetacean (Wikipedia; Khalaf, September 2018). The Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis Desmoulins, 1822) is a baleen whale, one of three species classified as right whales belonging to the genus Eubalaena (Wikipedia). Approximately 10,000 southern right whales are spread throughout the southern part of the Southern Hemisphere (Wikipedia).

Taxonomy Right whales were first classified in the genus Balaena in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, who at the time considered all right whales (including the bowhead) to be a single species. Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Through the 1800s and 1900s, in fact, the family Balaenidae has been the subject of great taxonometric debate. Authorities have repeatedly recategorized the three populations of right whale plus the bowhead whale, as one, two, three or four species, either in a single genus or in two separate genera. In the early whaling days, they were all thought to be a single species, Balaena mysticetus (Wikipedia). The southern right whale was initially described as Balaena australis by Desmoulins in 1822. Eventually, it was recognized that bowheads and right whales were in fact different, and John Edward Gray proposed the genus Eubalaena for the right whale in 1864. Later, morphological factors such as differences in the skull shape of northern and southern right whales indicated at least two species of right whale—one in the Northern Hemisphere, the other in the Southern Ocean. As recently as 1998, Rice, in his comprehensive and otherwise authoritative classification, “Marine mammals of the world: systematics and distribution”, listed just two species: Balaena glacialis (all of the right whales) and Balaena mysticetus (the bowheads) (Wikipedia).

Skeleton of the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

In 2000, Rosenbaum et al. disagreed, based on data from their genetic study of DNA samples from each of the whale populations. Genetic evidence now clearly demonstrates that the northern and southern populations of right whale have not interbred for between 3 million and 12 million years, confirming the southern right whale as a distinct species. The northern Pacific and Atlantic populations are also distinct, with the North Pacific right whale being more closely related to the southern right whale than to the North Atlantic right whale. Genetic differences between E. Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

japonica (north pacific) and E. australis (south pacific) are much smaller than other baleen whales represent among different ocean basins (Wikipedia). It is believed that the right whale populations first split because of the joining of North and South America. The rising temperatures at the equator then created a second split, into the northern and southern groups, preventing them from interbreeding (Wikipedia). In 2002, the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) accepted Rosenbaum's findings, and recommended that the Eubalaena nomenclature be retained for this genus (Wikipedia). Other junior synonyms for E. australis have included B. antarctica (Lesson, 1828), B. antipodarum (Gray, 1843), Hunterus temminckii (Gray, 1864), and E. glacialis australis (Tomilin, 1962) (Wikipedia).

Description Like other right whales, the southern right whale is readily distinguished from others by the callosities on its head, a broad back without a dorsal fin, and a long arching mouth that begins above the eye. Its skin is very dark grey or black, occasionally with Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Number 175 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2019

some white patches on the belly. The right whale's callosities appear white due to large colonies of cyamids (whale lice). It is almost indistinguishable from the closely related North Atlantic and the North Pacific right whales, displaying only minor skull differences. It may have fewer callosities on its head than North Atlantic and more on its lower lips than the two northern species. Biological functions of callosities are unclear although the primal role has been considered to be for protection against predators, and whales' declines may affect on diversities and quantities of barnacles (Wikipedia). An adult female is 15 m (49 ft) and can weigh up to 47 tonnes (46 long tons; 52 short tons), with the larger records of 17.5–18 m (57–59 ft) in length and 80 tonnes (79 long tons; 88 short tons) or up to 90 tonnes (89 long tons; 99 short tons) in weight, making them slightly smaller than other right whales in the Northern Hemisphere. The testicles of right whales are likely to be the largest of any animal, each weighing around 500 kg (1,100 lb). This suggests that sperm competition is important in the mating process (Wikipedia).

Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf-von Jaffa standing near the skeleton of the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by Ola and Nora Khalaf. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

Right whales do not normally cross the warm equatorial waters to connect with the other species and (inter)breed: their thick layers of insulating blubber make it difficult for them to dissipate their internal body heat in tropical waters. However, based on historical records and unconfirmed sightings in modern periods, E. australis transits may indeed occur through equatorial waters. Moreover, a stranding of "a 21.3 m (71 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

feet) long right whale at Gajana, northwestern India in November, 1944" was reported; however, true identity of this animal is unclear (Wikipedia). The proportion and numbers of molten-coloured individuals are notable in this species compared with the other species in the Northern Hemisphere. Some whales remain white even after growing up (Wikipedia). Life span is not clear although whales seem to reach over 100 years old (Wikipedia).

Behaviour Like other right whales, they are rather active on the water surface, and curious towards human vessels. Southern rights appear to be more active and tend to interact with humans more than the other two northern species. One behavior unique to the southern right whale, known as tail sailing, is that of using their elevated flukes to catch the wind, remaining in the same position for considerable amount of time. It appears to be a form of play and is most commonly seen off the coast of Argentina and South Africa. Some other species such as humpback whales are also known to display. Right whales are often seen interacting with other cetaceans, especially humpback whales and dolphins. There have been records of southern rights and humpbacks thought to be involved in mating activities off Mozambique, and along Bahia, Brazil (Wikipedia). They have very strong maternal connections with locations and gene pools they were born in, and especially males may follow patterned migration routes. Calving females are known to return to their 'birth spots' at 3-years intervals as the most commonly seen Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

calving intervals are 3 years which may vary from 2 up to 21 years due to multiple factors. Specific congregation areas in the same region may function as for different objectives for whales (Wikipedia). This species has been recognized to nurse unrelated orphans on occasions (Wikipedia).

Population and Distribution The southern right whale spends summer in the far Southern Ocean feeding, probably close to Antarctica. If the opportunity arises, feeding can occur even in temperate waters such as along Buenos Aires. It migrates north in winter for breeding and can be seen by the coasts of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Namibia, Mozambique, Peru, Tristan da Cunha Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay, Madagascar, New Zealand and South Africa, however, whales have been known to winter on subAntarctic regions. The total population is estimated to be around 10,000. Since hunting ceased, stocks are estimated to have grown by 7% a year. It appears that the South American, South African and Australasian groups intermix very little if at all, because maternal fidelity to feeding and calving habitats is very strong. The mother also passes these choices to her calves (Wikipedia). Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Whaling records among the hemisphere including a certain whaling ground in central northern Indian Ocean and recent sightings among near-equatorial regions have occurred, and if the later mentioned sighting off Kiribati was truly of E. australis, this species could cross the Equator on irregular occasions and their original distributions might have been much broader and more northerly distributed than that of the present status. As above mentioned, there was one record of a "right whale" stranded at northwestern coast of continental India (Wikipedia). Other than sheltered and calm waters, calving grounds have been identified close to high wave coastal areas, vicinity to land cliffs and deep waters where sounds of waves may prevent predators' acoustics searches for infants and calving cows, and deep areas close to shallows may function as training grounds for calves to prepare for upcoming migrations to feeding grounds (Wikipedia). The most recent population estimates, published by National Geographic in October 2008, put the southern whale population at 10,000. An estimate of 7,000 followed a March 1998 IWC workshop. Researchers used data about adult female populations from three surveys (one in each of Argentina, South Africa and Australia, collected during the 1990s) and extrapolated to include unsurveyed areas, number of males and calves using available male:female and adult:calf ratios to give an estimated 1999 figure of 7,500 animals. Recovery of the overall population size of the species is predicted to be at less than 50% of its pre-whaling state by 2100 due to heavier impacts of whaling and slower recovery rates (Wikipedia).

Skeleton of the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) at the MusĂŠum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Number 175 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2019

Aside from impacts on whales and environments caused by mankind, their distributions and residences could be largely effected by presences of natural predators or enemies, and similar trends are also expectable for other subspecies (Wikipedia). Many locations throughout the Southern Hemisphere were named after current or former presences of southern rights, including Walvis Bay, Punta Ballena, Right Whale Bay, Otago Harbour, Whangarei Harbour, Foveaux Strait, South Taranaki Bight, Moutohora Island and Wineglass Bay (Wikipedia).

Information sign of the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, France. Photo by the Author. 29.08.2016. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

Whaling By 1750 the North Atlantic right whale was as good as extinct for commercial purposes and the Yankee whalers moved into the South Atlantic before the end of the 18th century. The southernmost Brazilian whaling station was established in 1796, in Imbituba. Over the next one hundred years, Yankee whaling spread into the Southern and Pacific Oceans, where the American fleet was joined by fleets from several European nations (Wikipedia). The southern right whale had been coming to New Zealand waters in large numbers before the 19th century, but was extensively hunted from 1830–1850. Hunting gradually Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

declined with the whale population and then all but ended in coastal New Zealand waters. The beginning of the 20th century brought industrial whaling, and the catch grew rapidly. By 1937, according to whalers' records, 38,000 were captured in the South Atlantic, 39,000 in the South Pacific, and 1,300 in the Indian Ocean. Given the incompleteness of these records, the total take was somewhat higher (Wikipedia). As it became clear that stocks were nearly depleted, right whaling was banned in 1937. The ban was largely successful, although some illegal whaling continued for several decades. Madeira took its last two right whales in 1968. Illegal whaling continued off the coast of Brazil for many years and the Imbituba station processed right whales until 1973. The Soviet Union admitted illegally taking over 3,300 during the 1950s and 1960s, although it only reported taking 4. Illegal operations continued even in 70s, such as the case in Brazil until 1973. It was also revealed that Japan was supporting these destructive hunts by neglecting and disregarding monitoring obligations. Furthermore, there were agreements between Japan and the Soviet Union to keep their illegal mass whaling activities in foreign/international protected waters in confidence (Wikipedia). Whales began to be seen again in Australian and New Zealand waters from the early 1960s. It is claimed that if the illegal hunts by the Soviet Union had never happened, the New Zealand population would be three or four times larger than its current size (Wikipedia).

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Number 175 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2019

References and Internet Websites Al-Robaae, K. (1974). Tursiops aduncus Bottlenosed dolphin: a new record for Arab Gulf; with notes on Cetacea of the region. Bull. Basrah Nat. Hist. Mus. 1(1): 7-16. Arkive. Bryde’s Whale Balaenoptera edeni. http://www.arkive.org/brydeswhale/balaenoptera-edeni/ Baldwin, Robert (1995).Whales and Dolphins of the United Arab Emirates. Published by Robert Baldwin, 1995, ISBN 13: 9780952660507. Baldwin R (1998). Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) of the Sultanate of Oman. Document SC/50/CAWS21, Scientific Committee, International Whaling Commission. Baldwin, Robert (2003). Whales and Dolphins of Arabia. Mazoon Printing Press, Muttrah, Sultanate of Oman. 111pp. Baldwin, Robert (2003). Whales and Dolphins of Arabia. Park House England, 2003, 111 pages. ISBN: 0952660504. Baldwin RM, Gallagher M, Van Waerebeek K. (1999). A Review of Cetaceans from waters off the Arabian Peninsula. Pp. 161-189. In: M. Fisher, S.A. Ghazanfar and J.A. Spalton (eds). The Natural History of Oman: A Festschrift for Michael Gallagher. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.20397.28645 Baldwin RM, Salm R. (1994). Whales and Dolphins along the coast of Oman. 65pp. Muscat printing Press, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Cousteau, Jacques Yves (1972). The Whale: Mighty Monarch of the Sea (The Undersea Discoveries of Jacques-Yves Cousteau). Hardcover, 304 pages. Doubleday & Company, Inc. ISBN 0304290335. Cousteau, Jacques Yves & Yves Paccalet (1988). Jacques Cousteau Whales. Published by Irwin Professional Publishing. 280p. ISBN 978-0-8109-1046-1. Holthuis L. B. (1987). The scientific name of the sperm whale. Marine Mammal Science. 3 (1): 87–89. Husson, A. M. & L. B. Holthuis (1974). Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758, the valid name for the Sperm Whale. Zoologische Mededelingen, Leiden, Vol. 48, No. 19, p. 205217. ISSN 0024-0672. https://www.narcis.nl/publication/RecordID/oai:naturalis.nl:318605 Jongbloed, Marijcke (2004). Whales and Dolphins in the Gulf. http://www.alshindagah.com/janfeb2004/whales.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1980). Tabie’t Al-Talawon fi Al-Haywanat (The Colouration of Animals). Al-Biology Bulletin. Number 1. January 1980, Safar 1401. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 4-5. (in Arabic). Khalaf, Norman (1982). A’maar Al-Haywanat (Animal Ages). Al-Biology Bulletin. Number 18, Third Year, First Semester, Saturday 6.11.1982. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 7. (in Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1987). Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) from the State of Kuwait, Arabian Gulf. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. RilchingenHanweiler, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 14, Fifth Year, Shawal 1407 AH, June 1987 AD. pp. 1-14. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). The Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 26, Tenth Year, January 1992. pp. 1-3. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Gazelle. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 30, Tenth Year, October 1992. pp. 1-7. (in Arabic). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1994). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Shqae’q Al-Nouma’n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement). Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine. Number 4. Huzairan (June) 1994. pp. 16-21. (in Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (Gründer) (seit Juni 2001). Wale und Delphine Club Yahoo Group.https://de.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Wale_und_Delphine/info Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Gazelle: Das PalästinensischeBiologische Bulletin. Eine Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2004 / Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. A Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2004. ISBN 3-00-014121-9. Erste Auflage, Juli 2004: 452 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Seiten. Zweite erweiterte Auflage, August 2004: 460 Seiten. Norman Ali Khalaf, BonnBad Godesberg, Germany. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/& eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59405994/book-gazelle-thepalestinian-biological-bulletin-a-scientific-journey-in-palestine-arabia-and-europebetween-1983-2004-by-norman-ali-khalaf-von-jaffa-2004 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Die Wal Sonderausstellung "Delphinidae Delphionidae" und "Kleinwale in Nord- und Ostsee" im Museum Alexander Koenig in Bonn, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. BonnBad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 35, Twenty-second Year, September 2004. pp. 1. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Der Schweinswal (Phocoenaphocoena) in der Nordund Ostsee ... The Harbour Porpoise (Phocoenaphocoena) in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 36, Twenty-second Year, October 2004. pp. 1-7. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Thema des Tages (5. Januar 2005): In See gespülter Indopazifischer Buckeldelfin (Sousa chinensis) in Thailand nach Tagen gerettet. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 37, Twentythird Year, January 2005. pp. 1-3. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah) and the Whale. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 38, Twenty-third Year, February 2005. pp. 9-13. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Jaffa (Yaffa): The History of an Old Palestinian Arab City on the Mediterranean Sea. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twenty-third Year, March 2005. pp. 7-8. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). The Andromeda Sea Monster of Jaffa. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Number 39, Twentythird Year, March 2005. pp. 8. Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005). Aquatica Arabica. An Aquatic Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980 - 2005. / Aquatica Arabica. Eine Aquatische Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palaestina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980 - 2005. ISBN 3-00-014835-3. Erste Auflage, August 2005: 376 Seiten. Publisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/aquaticaarabica.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59407769/book-aquatica-arabica-anaquatic-scientific-journey-in-palestine-arabia-and-europe-between-1980-2005-bynorman-ali-khalaf-von-jaffa-2005 & eBook: https://joom.ag/nN6L Khalaf, Norman Ali (2005, 2006, 2007). Chapter 3: Geography, Flora and Fauna. Pages 32-39.in: Palestine: A Guide. By Mariam Shahin, Photography by George Azar. CoAuthor: Norman Ali Khalaf. Northampton, Massachusetts: Interlink Publishing Group, 2005, 2006, 2007. xi + 471 pages. Appendices to page 500. http://ipsnewsite.mysite4now.com/journals.aspx?id=7323&jid=1&href=fulltext Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2006). A Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni) Stranding on Al Mamzar Beach, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Bulletin. Number 50. February 2006. pp. 1-5. https://de.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Quastenflosser/conversations/messages/ 22 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2006). Mammalia Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2006. / Mammalia Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980-2006. ISBN 3-00-017294-7. Erste Auflage, Juli 2006, 484 pp. Publisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/mammaliaarabica.htm & eBook (PDF): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4YzoDUtvuaZeTFCV0ZzWGhTYTg/view?usp=sh aring Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Felidae Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980-2007 / Felidae Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2007. ISBN 978-3-00-019568-6. Erste Auflage (First Edition), Juli (July) 2007, 300 pp. SelfPublisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (in Arabic, German and English). Doctoral Dissertation. Ashwood University, USA. Doctor of Science Degree in Zoology (Summa Cumm Laude) on 26.09.2007. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/felidaearabica.htm & Doctoral Dissertation eBook : https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59397999/doctorate-dissertationfelidae-arabica-by-norman-ali-bassam-khalaf-doctor-of-science-ashwood-universityusa-2007 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit September 2007). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Fauna Arabica. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Arabica/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Haywanat Filistin (Fauna of Palestine). In: Wikipedia-Arabic, Al-Mawsu'a Al-Hurra (The Free Encyclopedia). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 69, September 2007, Sha’ban 1428 AH. pp. 1-4. (Article in Arabic). http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7 %D8%AA_%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2008). Cetacea Palaestina: The Whales and Dolphins in Palestinian Waters. Cetacean Species Guide for Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 83, November 2008, Thu Al-Qi’ada 1429 AH. pp. 1-14. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://cetaceapalaestina.webs.com/& https://de.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Wale_und_Delphine/conversations/mess ages/329 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Flora and Fauna in Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 91, July 2009, Rajab 1430 AH. pp. 1-31. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine.webs.com/ Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2009). Fauna Palaestina – Part One. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2006 / Fauna Palaestina – Teil Eins. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2006. ISBN 978-9948-03-865-8. Erste Auflage/First Edition, September 2009: 412 Seiten/Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart1.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/view/59498633/fauna-palaestina-1-bookby-dr-norman-ali-khalaf-2009 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2010). Fauna Emiratus - Part One. Zoological Studies in the United Arab Emirates between 2004 - 2009. / Fauna Emiratus – Teil Eins. Zoologische Studien in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate zwischen 2004 - 2009. ISBN 978-9948-15-462-4. Erste Auflage/First Edition, November 2010: 350 Seiten / Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunaemiratuspart1.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/view/59546804/fauna-emiratuspart-1-zoological-studies-in-the-united-arab-emirates-between-2004-2009-by-drnorman-ali-bassam-khalaf-von-jaffa-2010 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2012). Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus Lilljeborg, 1861) sighted off the Mediterranean Coast of Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 100, January 2012. pp. 1-6. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Palaestina/message/90 & http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Wale_und_Delphine/message/344 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2012). Fauna Palaestina – Part Two. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2009/ Fauna Palaestina – Teil Zwei. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2009. ISBN 978-9948-16-667-2. 1. Auflage / First Edition : July 2012, Shaaban 1433 H.208 Seiten / Pages (Arabic Part 120 Pages and the English Part 88 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart2.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59602956/fauna-palaestina-part-2book-by-dr-norman-ali-khalaf-von-jaffa-2012 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2013). Fauna Palaestina – Part Three. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 2005 – 2012/ Fauna Palaestina – Teil Drei. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 2005 – 2012. ISBN 978-9950-383-35-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2013, Shaaban 1434 H.364 Seiten / Pages (English / German Part 350 Pages and the Arabic Part 14 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart3.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2014). Fauna Palaestina – Part Four. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2014/ Fauna Palaestina – Teil Vier. Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2014. ISBN978-9950-383-77-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2014, Ramadan 1435 H. pp. 456 (English part 378 pages and Arabic part 78 pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://fauna-palaestina-part1.webs.com/faunapalaestina4.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2014). Dinasurat Al Quds (Dinosaurs of Jerusalem). Dialogue with Prof. Dr. Norman Khalafvon Jaffa. National Geographic Arabiya Magazine (October 2014, Pages 52--53). https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/15412670595 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2014). A Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Stranding on Failaka Island, State of Kuwait. Gazelle - The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178-6288). Number 119. November 2014. pp. 1-13. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://animals-of-kuwait.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2015). Plants and Animals unique to Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 125, May 2015. pp. 1-18. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine-2.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2015). Fauna Palaestina – Part Five. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2016/ Fauna Palaestina – Teil Fünf. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2016. ISBN 978-9950-383-92-0. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2015, Ramadan 1436 H. 448 pp. (English Part 304 Pages and the Arabic Part 144 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://fauna-palaestina-books.webs.com/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2015). The 24meters Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Skeleton at the Educational Science Museum in Kuwait City, State of Kuwait. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 6288. Number 128, August 2015, pp. 1-18. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://animals-of-kuwait.webs.com/blue-whale-skeleton Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2015). The Umm Al-Maradem Island Whale Skeleton at the Educational Science Museum in Kuwait City, State of Kuwait. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 6288. Number 130, October 2015, pp. 1-18. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://animals-of-kuwait.webs.com/umm-al-maradem-whale Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2016). A Scientific Visit to Wadi El-Hitan (Whales Valley), Al-Fayyum, Al-Sahraa Al-Gharbiah (Western Desert), Egypt. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288). Number 134, February 2016, pp. 1-44. Sharjah and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. http://cetacea.webs.com/wadi-el-hitan Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2016). Whale Bone Remains at the Diving Village, Heritage Village, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and a Note on the Whales and Dolphins in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288). Number 141, September 2016, pp. 1-19. Sharjah and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. http://cetacea.webs.com/whale-bonesGazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

dubai Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2016). Haywanat Falastin (Fauna of Palestine) ‫ حيوانات فلسطين‬. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 144, December 2016, pp. 1-18. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (In Arabic). http://animals-of-palestine-2.webs.com/fauna-ofpalestine-arabic Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa (2017). Whale vertebra from a stranded Whale in 1965 on the beach of Qidfa Village, Emirate of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 153, September 2017, pp. 1-6. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://cetacea.webs.com/whale-vertebrae-qidfa-uae Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam (September 2017). YouTube : Whale Skeletons at Muscat Natural History Museum, Oman. https://youtu.be/O_fSJdG0dfc Khalaf, Norman Ali (17.10.2017). First record of a mother Arabian Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae indica) with juvenile in the Sea of Dubai-Jumeirah. Photos taken from a video published by UAE Dolphin Project. Facebook. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155685010874831&id=560519830&hc_ location=ufi Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa (November 2017). First Sighting Record of the Arabian Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae indica Gervais, 1883) in the Sea of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Arabian Gulf. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 155, November 2017, pp. 16-50. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. http://marine-life-uae2.webs.com/arabian-humpback-whale Khalaf, Norman Ali (22.11.2017). Whale Vertebra at Fujairah Museum. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dr.norman.ali.khalaf/media_set?set=a.10155793851074831 .1073742049.560519830&type=3&pnref=story Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa (2018). Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758) Skeleton at the Natural History Museum in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 165, September 2018, pp. 1-31. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine.http://cetacea.webs.com/ Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa (2018). A Whale Vertebra at Fujairah Museum, Fujairah City, Emirate of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 166, October 2018, pp. 1-11. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. http://cetacea2.webs.com/whale-vertebra-fujairah Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019

Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa (2018). A 27-meters dead Great Indian Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus indica Blyth, 1859) washes ashore at Khorfakkan Port, Khorfakkan, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 167, November 2018, pp. 1-21. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. http://cetacea-2.webs.com/ Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa (2018). Cetacean Skeletons at the Whale Hall in the Natural History Museum in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 168, December 2018, pp. 1-29. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. http://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-muscat Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Mostafa (July 2019). Cetacean Skeletons at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (National Museum of Natural History) in Paris, France. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Volume 37, Number 175, July 2019, pp. 1-31. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. https://cetacea-2.webs.com/cetacean-skeletons-paris

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 175 – July 2019