[CINC] Advances in the study of whale physiology

[David Chubb]

The journal Conservation Physiology has published a review of the 
advances being made in the study of whale physiology.

http://conphys.oxfordjournals.org/content/1/1/cot006.full?sid=92d0b3e7-dee1-4393-a08c-2945421d3ba9

"The study of large whale physiology is now at a stage at which a 
‘critical mass’ of non-lethal assessment methods has become available. 
Together, faecal samples, blow samples, biopsy samples, and visual 
assessment methods have the potential to revolutionize our understanding 
of large whale reproductive cycles, stress physiology, nutritional 
status, host immune response, pathogen and parasite load, and more."

My favorite: Using a small remote-control helicopter to hover over a 
whale and collect blow samples.

The NYTimes also today published an article on the use of blow samples 
to evaluate the health of captive whales.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/science/a-wealth-of-data-in-whale-breath.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131001&_r=0