EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY AND PIGMENTATION OF THE VAQUITA,PHOCOENA SINUS(CETACEA: MAMMALIA)

摘要

AbstractThe vaquita,Phocoena sinus, is a porpoise in the family Phocoenidae that lives only in the Gulf of California. The external appearance ofP. sinuswas unknown until 13 fresh specimens were recently examined. The most obvious morphological feature distinguishingP. sinusfrom its two congeners is the proportionately higher dorsal fin. The most striking features of the pigmentation pattern are the large black eye patches and the black upper and lower lip patches. In both areas, the pigmentation contrasts sharply with the surrounding light gray coloration. The total lengths of the specimens ranged from 70.3 cm (a neonate) to 143.5 cm (an adult female).