1.   A. In some whale species, a third whale may have a role in courtship, but it is now thought to involve competition, not assistance.

2.   In nearly all the samples, they were able to identify not only the whale species, but its likely home ocean.

3.   Japan has strongly defended its research hunts, contending that most whale species are not endangered and that in some cases they are overabundant and depleting fish stocks.

4.   Researchers say too little is being done to protect this most endangered of all whale species.

5.   Unlike other whale species such as the humpback, Northern right whales have not rebounded strongly since the end of whaling.

6.   Pleym also said he feared an increase in illegal hunting of endangered whale species because poached meat could more easily be sold under the cover of Norwegian exports.

7.   According to Japan, the limited catches it is seeking would be different for each whale species, with catch quotas based on the estimated size of whale populations.

8.   According to Japan, the limited catches it seeks would be different for each whale species, with catch quotas based on the estimated size of whale populations.

9.   It agrees, however, that other, endangered whale species should be protected.

10.   Japan has argued that many whale species are plentiful enough to allow limited kills.