Recent research activities.
In 2003 Malcolm published a long term study of the nose of the Pygmy and Dwarf sperm whales. He has shown how this small but complicated structure probably produces, tunes, amplifies, reflects, conducts and actively focuses sound in ways which are far more elegant than methods employed by man. He has shown how it does all this while enduring great changes in pressure and temperature.
Six projects are in late preparation or in press.
Research papers, relevant to the museum, published by Malcolm Clarke and with colleagues.
PROGRESS WITH THE MUSEUM.
The main building, consisting of two galleries, is now complete. The anatomy of the largest female sperm whale to have been caught in the Azores has been painted in life size, (12m long). A number of wooden models illustrating aspects of the whale's biology have been carved and five soft sculptures of deepsea squids have been prepared but have yet to be painted. All of the displays have been planned, the texts have been prepared in English and are being translated to Portuguese.
CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Papers are in preparation on the food of the pygmy sperm whale off New Zealand and the first larvae of the giant squid Architeuthis.
Papers on the diet of a sperm whale stranded on the North shore of Pico and the diet of stranded beaked whales, Mesoplodon bidens and M.densirostris are being prepared for publication.
