Megaptera novaeangliae (humpback whale) - MH-08-100

Abstract

Megaptera novaeangliae (humpback whale) - MH-08-100 - male - 9.00 m - Pelvic location - SUNY, Syracuse. The carcass of a 27.5-foot (~330 inches) female was found floating off Race Point, Provincetown, Barnstable County, MA (42 01.3N 070 18.7W). It briefly beached at Herring Cove, Provincetown on 18 September and was reported by a tuna spotter floating halfway between Race Point and the Gurnet (Duxbury) on 21 September. On 23 September it washed ashore at Manomet Avenue, Plymouth. Poor beach access and a storm prevented a necropsy and salvage. The carcass quickly began to come apart in the surf. On 1 October, the remaining partial skeleton was salvaged, which included the following: Skull including both sets of ear bones (but missing right maxilla and both premaxillae), 1 mandible, both flippers with 1 scapula, entire tail including all 20 caudal vertebrae, the next to last lumbar (#9) and thoracic #10, both pelvic bones, all 8 chevrons (pairs #1, 2 & 8 unfused - # 1 right & # 8 right missing), and 20 ribs. The neck of one large rib was broken and healed. Given to the Roosevelt Wild Life Collection, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Syracuse, NY.