Vertebral pattern variation in the North Sea harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) by computed tomography.

ABSTRACT: Vertebral series in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) include cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and caudal. In contrast to studying skeletons from museums, in which small bones can be missed, evaluation of full body computed tomography (CT) scans provides an overview of the vertebral column, while maintaining interrelationship of all structures. The aim of this study was to document variations in vertebral patterning of the harbor porpoise via evaluation of CT images of intact stranded harbor porpoises. The harbor porpoises were divided into age classes, based on developmental stage of reproductive organs on postmortem examination and closure of proximal humeral physis on CT. Numbers of vertebrae per series, fusion state of the syncervical, type of first hemal arch, number of double articu

SUBMITTER: Willems DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8246778 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature