title: Role of isovaleroyl lipids in channeling of sound in the porpoise melon.
abstract: Physical properties (e.g. specific gravity, adiabatic compressibility and sound velocity) of lipids isolated from tissues from contiguous areas of the fatty melon of an echo-locating porpoise (Delphinus delphis) were determined to elucidate relations between lipid composition and structure, and sound transmission in the head. Lipid content varied greatly within the melon (13.6-77.6% of the tissue weight) and triacylglycerols (80-100%) were the major lipid components. This lipid class was composed of diisovaleroylglycerides (triacylglycerols containing two isovaleroyl moieties and a long-chain acyl moiety), monoisovaleroyldiacylglycerols and triacylglycerols consisting of long-chain acids. The lipid-rich (greater than 45%) areas in the melon contained a high proportion (greater than 45% of total triacylglycerols) of diisovaleroylglycerides. There were gradations of sound velocities within the melon; the lowest sound velocities were associated with high concentrations of diisovaleroylglycerides (less than 1400 m/s) and the highest with high concentrations of long-chain triacylglycerols. Assuming an average sound frequency of 75 kHz, and considering dimensions of melon (path length and width of 12-14 cm and 5 cm, respectively), a forward radiating lobe of 15-25 degrees is produced. Thus, the deposition of lipids of different acoustic properties in a three-dimensional matrix within the porpoise melon results in a lens for the projection of sound into the marine environment.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004289:Dolphins / Q000502:physiology*; D006309:Hearing; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013016:Sound; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D014631:Valerates / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides; D014631:Valerates