Sensory anatomy of the most aquatic of carnivorans: the Antarctic Ross seal, and convergences with other mammals.
Biol Lett
; 13(10)2017 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29021317
ABSTRACT
Transitions to and from aquatic life involve transformations in sensory systems. The Ross seal, Ommatophoca rossii, offers the chance to investigate the cranio-sensory anatomy in the most aquatic of all seals. The use of non-invasive computed tomography on specimens of this rare animal reveals, relative to other species of phocids, a reduction in the diameters of the semicircular canals and the parafloccular volume. These features are independent of size effects. These transformations parallel those recorded in cetaceans, but these do not extend to other morphological features such as the reduction in eye muscles and the length of the neck, emphasizing the independence of some traits in convergent evolution to aquatic life.
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Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Osso Petroso
/
Focas Verdadeiras
/
Orelha Interna
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biol Lett
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Argentina