The remarkable convergence of skull shape in crocodilians and toothed whales.

ABSTRACT: The striking resemblance of long-snouted aquatic mammals and reptiles has long been considered an example of morphological convergence, yet the true cause of this similarity remains untested. We addressed this deficit through three-dimensional morphometric analysis of the full diversity of crocodilian and toothed whale (Odontoceti) skull shapes. Our focus on biomechanically important aspects of shape allowed us to overcome difficulties involved in comparing mammals and reptiles, which have fundamental differences in the number and position of skull bones. We examined whether diet, habitat and prey size correlated with skull shape using phylogenetically informed statistical procedures. Crocodilians and toothed whales have a similar range of skull shapes, varying from extremely short and bro

SUBMITTER: McCurry MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5360915 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature