Publication Cover
Historical Biology
An International Journal of Paleobiology
Volume 14, 2000 - Issue 1-2
50
Views
7
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Preliminary observations on the morphology of the inner ear of the fetal narwhal (Monodon monoceros)

&
Pages 47-51 | Published online: 10 Jan 2009
 

Abstract

The inner ear of the narwhal (Monodon monoceros) was investigated on the basis of a complete series of microslides of an early fetus. In this well‐preserved specimen, the cochlea is about twice as large as the vestibular apparatus. The latter exhibits a high degree of specialization. Whereas the utriculus and sacculus are of normal size in comparison with those of other mammals, the semicircular canals are miniaturized but not obliterated, as in the case of some adult toothed whales. In comparison with other mammals, there is relatively little perilymphatic space around the vestibular organ, but the inner radius of the lymphatic ducts comes close to that of the adult human. Although there are some hints that the sensitivity of the vestibular system may be high in this species, detailed analysis of the adult narwhal ear is needed to confirm this inference.

Notes

Corresponding author: e‐mail: [email protected]‐frankfurt.de

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.