Abstract
The reconstruction of the acoustic properties of a neonate finless porpoise’s head was performed using X-ray computed tomography (CT). The head of the deceased neonate porpoise was also segmented across the body axis and cut into slices. The averaged sound velocity and density were measured, and the Hounsfield units (HU) of the corresponding slices were obtained from computed tomography scanning. A regression analysis was employed to show the linear relationships between the Hounsfield unit and both sound velocity and density of samples. Furthermore, the CT imaging data were used to compare the HU value, sound velocity, density and acoustic characteristic impedance of the main tissues in the porpoise’s head. The results showed that the linear relationships between HU and both sound velocity and density were qualitatively consistent with previous studies on Indo-pacific humpback dolphins and Cuvier’s beaked whales. However, there was no significant increase of the sound velocity and acoustic impedance from the inner core to the outer layer in this neonate finless porpoise’s melon.
Highlights
The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species [1]
In this study, computed tomography technology combined with the acoustic properties measurements of tissues were employed to reconstruct acoustic properties of the neonate finless porpoise’s head
The highest values of Hounsfield units (HU), sound velocity, density and acoustic impedance areas were found in the bony structures of the skull
Summary
The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species [1]. They are distributed in the main stem of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and in the adjoining Poyang and Dongting Lakes [2]. Acoustic Property Reconstruction Based on CT Imaging the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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