Abstract
Morphometric characteristics of the periotic–timpanic bone complex in the middle ear of cetaceans, are effective characteristics in evaluating systematics. However, they have not been used for studies of geographic variation regarding dolphins of the genus Sotalia. This study aimed to compare the periotic–timpanic of Sotalia guianensis from four distinct locations, considered here as different operational taxonomic units, Amapá/Pará (AM/PA), Maranhão/Piauí (MA/PI), Ceará (CE), and Rio de Janeiro (RJ), using 21 morphometric measurements. Multivariate analysis showed significant distinction mainly between the units of northern (AM/PA and MA/PI) and south-eastern (RJ) Brazilian coast. The timpanic bone showed variation, reaching larger sizes in the Brazilian south coast unit, corroborating current molecular data on the geographic variation of S. guianensis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
