APPENDIX II 



Aids to Establishing a Strandings Network for the CINMS 



Cetaceans may be found on beaches in the CINMS during or 

 shortly after the stranding or many months later, when the carcass is 

 bloated or rotted nearly beyond recognition. In some cases all that may 

 remain from a stranding long past is a jumble of bones or other hard 

 body parts. If the animal is alive or freshly dead, it can often be 

 identified by reference to the portrait illustrations provided at two 

 locations in this report — under "Systematic Accounts" or m Appendix 

 I - or by consulting detailed descriptions published elsewhere (for 

 example, Leatherwood, Reeves, Perrin and Evans, 1982; Leatherwood 

 and Reeves, igSj; Hoyt, 1984). Even if it is in an advanced stage of 

 decomposition, however, the specimen may be identifiable using the 

 key below. Body parts referred to in the text of the key are illustrated 

 below. 



In general, the numbers and descriptions of teeth (Table II- 1) and 

 baleen plates f Table II-2J persist longest as reliable identifying charac- 

 teristics. Such features are well described for some species, such as 

 those killed in large numbers in whale or dolphin fisheries or acciden- 

 tally in fisheries for other resources. For many other species, however, 

 reported maximum sizes and ranges in tooth or baleen counts are most 

 certainly incomplete as they represent data from few specimens. If 

 ventral grooves are still detectable on the carcass, their presence can be 

 used to distinguish balaenopterine (or rorqual) whales from all others 

 and their numbers and descriptions may be used to separate the 

 baleanopterine whales. If only the skull remains, most obsen'ers will 

 find It difficult to sort beyond suborder or perhaps family level and 

 usually only specialists can confirm identifications to genus and species. 



The following key and accompanying tables were prepared from 

 available published sources for the eastern North Pacific, supple- 

 mented by miscellaneous unpublished data from our files and those of 

 colleagues. The sections on beaked whales, in particular, derive from 

 work, mosdy unpublished, by Dr. James G. Mead, U.S. National 

 Museum and are summarized with his permission from Leatherwood, 

 et. al. ( 1982 J and Leatherwood and Reeves (i980- The understanding 

 of beaked whales, as well as other cetaceans, of this area continues to be 

 modified as new materials and information become available. 



To use the key, begin with the first pair of opposing characteristics 

 - one of the two will apply to the specimen you are examining. On the 

 line following that statement there will be a paragraph number. Go to 

 that paragraph. There you will find another pair of opposing charac- 

 teristics. Again, one of the two will apply to the specimen you are 

 examining. Select that entry and go to the paragraph indicated on the 

 line following it. Continue this procedure until the statement which is 

 true tor your specimen is followed by a species name instead of a 

 reference to another paragraph. This name should identify the spec- 

 imen. 



When you discover a stranding remember that all marine mammals, 

 alive or dead, are currently protected under law in U.S. waters and on 

 U.S. beaches. Under provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection 

 Act of 1 972 it IS unlawful for persons without a permit to handle, harass 

 or possess any marine mammal or possess any part of a marine 

 mammal. Therefore, private citizens should be discouraged from 

 intervening in strandings except under direct supervision of a permit 

 holder or designated government official. Under terms of the Act any 

 government employee is authorized to intervene in a stranding in the 

 interests of public safety and humane treatment of the animals, 

 provided such intervention is in the course of performance of his or her 

 duties. Apparently, employees of the Department of Interior and the 

 Department of Commerce assigned to the CINMS or CINP are so 

 authorized. Strandings should be handled and animals disposed of in 

 accordance with instructions contained in the followini? publication: 

 Anonymous. 198;. California Marine Mammal Stranding Network 

 Directory, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest 

 Region, !Oo S. Ferry Street, Terminal Island, CA 90751. 40 pp. 



The key includes all species of cetaceans known to occur in the 

 Eastern North Pacific. Some are ordinarily restricted to tropical 

 (indicated by a "T ' following the species name) and others to polar 

 (indicated by a "P ") waters. Such species are not likely to be found in 

 the SCB. Of the remainder some are residents or common seasonal 

 migrants 1 indicated by an "A" j while others ( indicated by a "B " ) have 

 been reported from the CINMS or nearby waters but are not common 

 there. 



1. a. Double blowhole; no teeth present in either jaw: baleen plates in 

 upperjaws. 



(Baleen whale) Go to 2 



b. Single blowhole; teeth present (sometimes concealed beneath 

 gums); no baleen plates in upper |3vv. 



(Toothed whale) Go to 9 



2. a. Ventral grooves present [1]; dorsal fin present: viewed in profile, 

 upper jaw relatively flat; viewed dorsally, upper jaw relatively 



broad. 



(Balaenopterine whale) Go 



to J 



b. Ventral grooves absent; longitudinal creases on chin or throat 

 absent; dorsal fin absent (no trace of any fin on smooth back); 

 viewed m profile, upper jaw and lower lips strongly arched; 

 viewed dorsally upper jaw very narrow. 



(Right whale) Go to 8 



54 



