The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown
Опубликована: Сен. 17, 2024
Abstract Little is known about the biology of pygmy sperm whales, Kogia breviceps (De Blainville, 1838), being that most anatomical descriptions for species derive from necropsy after stranding or osteological material preserved in museums. This rarely seen despite its wide distribution, and reproductive behaviour still investigated. The eventual occurrence pregnant female strandings collection description foetuses can give clues organisms' mostly unknown early development. However, this type biological extremely rare, limiting analysis due to risk damage loss. Here, we describe external internal anatomy an 84 cm long K. foetus. methods utilised were non‐intrusive, meaning no incisions made on specimen. foetus was analysed using computed tomography images a three‐dimensional reconstruction skeleton. A great number features observed, such as axial appendicular skeletal structures, organs, echolocation apparatus umbilical cord, well diagnostic characters species, asymmetrical skull, spermaceti chamber false gill pigmentation. We suggest more specimens different stages development should be by same technique, further comparison with other taxa, order facilitate comparative studies embryonic foetal cetaceans.
Язык: Английский