337
chapter fifteen
Conclusions and questions
Michael A. Castellini
15.1 Introduction
During the process of writing this book, the authors often encountered some fact we did
not know, or an idea that came from reading or editing the chapters. For example, there are
some blood oxygen data that I collected almost 35 years ago from diving seals that I still
do not understand. The authors from the pressure chapter (Chapter 4) discussed a new
concept in their writing that might help explain those findings, and we are going to reexamine those data again using their new ideas. Even with multiple decades of experience
working with marine mammals, we all found out something new or were exposed to a new
and interesting interpretation.
Our concept for this book was to explore the physiological, anatomical, and biochemical adaptations that must be considered when asking how marine mammals live in the
ocean. By now, you should have a good understanding of the core issues that face these
groups in their marine existence: From hydrodynamic forces, to diving, staying warm,
obtaining water, sensory systems, fasting, and disease, there are many basic mammalian
systems that must be tweaked for life in the sea. Yet, there are many more physiological concepts that we could not cover in the space of one book, a few of which should be discussed
before we conclude.
Contents
15.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 337
15.2 Behavior in a physiological box ....................................................................................... 338
15.3 Physiological ecology ........................................................................................................ 338
15.4 Other physiological questions.......................................................................................... 339
15.4.1 Pre-partum physiology ......................................................................................... 339
15.4.2 Digestive physiology ............................................................................................. 339
15.4.3 Sleep physiology ....................................................................................................340
15.4.4 Tissue level biochemistry and molecular biology.............................................340
15.5 Lessons from teaching physiology of marine mammals ............................................. 341
15.5.1 Can marine mammals be hurt by loud underwater noise? ............................. 341
15.5.2 How do whales find their way during migrations? ......................................... 341
15.5.3 What causes whales to strand? ............................................................................ 341
15.5.4 Can species interbreed? ........................................................................................ 341
15.6 Requisites for ocean living ...............................................................................................342
References .....................................................................................................................................342
chapter fifteen
Conclusions and questions
Michael A. Castellini
15.1 Introduction
During the process of writing this book, the authors often encountered some fact we did
not know, or an idea that came from reading or editing the chapters. For example, there are
some blood oxygen data that I collected almost 35 years ago from diving seals that I still
do not understand. The authors from the pressure chapter (Chapter 4) discussed a new
concept in their writing that might help explain those findings, and we are going to reexamine those data again using their new ideas. Even with multiple decades of experience
working with marine mammals, we all found out something new or were exposed to a new
and interesting interpretation.
Our concept for this book was to explore the physiological, anatomical, and biochemical adaptations that must be considered when asking how marine mammals live in the
ocean. By now, you should have a good understanding of the core issues that face these
groups in their marine existence: From hydrodynamic forces, to diving, staying warm,
obtaining water, sensory systems, fasting, and disease, there are many basic mammalian
systems that must be tweaked for life in the sea. Yet, there are many more physiological concepts that we could not cover in the space of one book, a few of which should be discussed
before we conclude.
Contents
15.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 337
15.2 Behavior in a physiological box ....................................................................................... 338
15.3 Physiological ecology ........................................................................................................ 338
15.4 Other physiological questions.......................................................................................... 339
15.4.1 Pre-partum physiology ......................................................................................... 339
15.4.2 Digestive physiology ............................................................................................. 339
15.4.3 Sleep physiology ....................................................................................................340
15.4.4 Tissue level biochemistry and molecular biology.............................................340
15.5 Lessons from teaching physiology of marine mammals ............................................. 341
15.5.1 Can marine mammals be hurt by loud underwater noise? ............................. 341
15.5.2 How do whales find their way during migrations? ......................................... 341
15.5.3 What causes whales to strand? ............................................................................ 341
15.5.4 Can species interbreed? ........................................................................................ 341
15.6 Requisites for ocean living ...............................................................................................342
References .....................................................................................................................................342