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Head morphology in perinatal dolphins: A window into phylogeny and ontogeny by Michael A. Rauschmann; Stefan Huggenberger; Lars S. Kossatz;; Helmut H.A. Oelschläger is a Environmental Science article available to read on EtoBox.

What is Head morphology in perinatal dolphins: A window into phylogeny and ontogeny about?

## Abstract In this paper on the ontogenesis and evolutionary biology of odontocete cetaceans (toothed whales), we investigate the head morphology of three perinatal pantropical spotted dolphins (__Stenella attenuata__) with the following methods: computer‐assisted tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, conventional X‐ray imaging, cryo‐sectioning as well as gross dissection. Comparison of these anatomical methods reveals that for a complete structural analysis, a combination of modern imaging techniques and conventional morphological methods is needed. In addition to the perinatal dolphins, we include series of microslides of fetal odontocetes (__S. attenuata__, common dolphin __Delphinus delphis__, narwhal __Monodon monoceros__). In contrast to other mammals, newborn cetaceans represent an extremely precocial state of development correlated to the fact that they have to swim and surface immediately after birth. Accordingly, the morphology of the perinatal dolphin head is very similar to that of the adult. Comparison with early fetal stages of dolphins shows that the ontogenetic change from the general mammalian bauplan to cetacean organization was characterized by profound morpho

Who reads Head morphology in perinatal dolphins: A window into phylogeny and ontogeny?

Author

Michael A. Rauschmann; Stefan Huggenberger; Lars S. Kossatz;; Helmut H.A. Oelschläger

Publisher

John Wiley and Sons; Wiley (John Wiley & Sons); John Wiley & Sons Inc.; Wiley (ISSN 0362-2525)

Published

2006

Language

EN

Field

Environmental Science (Physical Sciences)