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Tooth sample from sperm whale caught off Albany, Western Australia, 1966
1966Whale tooth with numbers written in black marker on the side.
Teeth were extracted from sperm whales caught off the Western Australian coast between 1964 and 1966 and were related to research carried out by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Division of Fisheries.
According to notes by CSIRO scientist Dr Graham Chittleborough, the samples are the upper and front teeth of the whales. Some are whole; others have been longitudinally bisected and the exposed surface acid etched to enhance the growth bands for examination.
Details
Details
Handwritten: “1” 28A66 46’ - 3” in black marker
The CSIRO used the tooth samples to obtain genetic material for research purposes.
The tooth samples were originally transferred into archival custody with data sheets and tissue sample slides.
Tooth samples were identified by whale number, a letter or letters to denote relative location to a whaling station where the whale was caught, and the year in which this occurred. This information was written in the format: Whale number - Locality – Year.
Copyright and Reference
Copyright and Reference
NAA: K1393, 28.A.66-1
National Archives of Australia, Western Australia Office
National Archives of Australia, Western Australia Office
Other items by CSIRO, Division of Fisheries and Oceanography
- Tooth sample from male sperm whale caught off Albany, Western Australia, 1964
- Tooth sample from male sperm whale caught off Albany, Western Australia, 1964
- Tooth sample from sperm whale caught off Albany, Western Australia, 1966
- Tooth sample from male sperm whale caught off Albany, Western Australia, 1964
- Tooth sample from sperm whale caught off Albany, Western Australia, 1966