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Pneumatic osteolysis in a cetacean ( Orcaella brevirostris )
Author(s) -
Cave A. J. E.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1972.tb01350.x
Subject(s) - osteology , biology , mammal , osteolysis , anatomy , gorilla , zoology , medicine , dentistry , paleontology
Pneumatic osteolysis (excessive pneumatisation of cranial bones) previously reported for certain terrestrial mammals (rhinoceroses, elephants, gorilla) is here reported in the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris). The osteological evidence provided by all mammal forms studied indicates unequivocally that, in the complex process of bone pneumatization (whether normal or excessive in range), the initiative lies with the peculiarly specialized mucosa of the pneumatic spaces concerned.