Function of the Spermaceti Organ of the Sperm Whale

THE structure of the head of the sperm whale ( Physeter catodon ) was described in outline by Pouchet and Beauregard 1–3 and by Raven and Gregory 4 , but the function of the large, wax filled spermaceti organ and related structures is not known although several theories 4–6 have been advanced.

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1970-11, Vol.228 (5274), p.873-874
Main Author: CLARKE, MALCOLM R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
multidisciplinary
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
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Description
Summary:THE structure of the head of the sperm whale ( Physeter catodon ) was described in outline by Pouchet and Beauregard 1–3 and by Raven and Gregory 4 , but the function of the large, wax filled spermaceti organ and related structures is not known although several theories 4–6 have been advanced.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/228873a0