Anatomy of the External Nasal Passages and Facial Complex in the Delphinidae (Mammalia: Cetacea): Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, Number 207

摘要

This study is concerned with the comparative anatomy of the external nasal passages and associated structures in delphinid odontocetes. It has been possible to assemble detailed anatomical information for nearly all of the delphinid genera. Comparative data for the other small toothed whales is considered in such detail as is available. The function of the structures associated with the external nasal passages has been poorly understood, partly due to a lack of understanding of their anatomy. I have drawn functional conclusions from the basis of this comparative study, but these are largely unsupported by experimental data.