Search

Twenty-three species and four subspecies of odontocete belonging to five families (Delphinidae, Physeteridae, Kogiidae, Phocoenidae, and Ziphiidae) are distributed along the Pacific coast of northern Mexico. The morphological variability of these species has been studied extensively and a number of taxonomic studies have focused on cranial characteristics. The goal of this study was to describe the periotics of the odontocetes of the Pacific coast of northern Mexico and develop a taxonomic tool using descriptions of each species. We used a geometric morphometric analysis of 186 periotics housed in local and national osteological collections. Our results show the taxonomic value of periotics and a significant phylogenetic signal associated with this structure. Based on these results we present a descriptive catalog that can be used for identification purposes. En la costa noroeste del Pacífico mexicano, se distribuyen 23 especies y cuatro subespecies de odontocetos pertenecientes a cinco familias (Delphinidae, Physeteridae, Kogiidae, Phocoenidae y Ziphiidae). La alta variabilidad morfológica de estas especies ha sido objeto de diversas investigaciones, varias de las cuales se han centrado en aspectos taxonómicos basados en características craneales. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los perióticos de los odontocetos de la costa noroeste del Pacífico mexicano y elaborar una herramienta taxonómica a través de la descripción de cada especie. Se realizó un análisis de morfometría geométrica empleando 186 perióticos depositados en colecciones osteológicas locales y nacionales. Nuestros resultados enfocados en 17 especies, indicaron que los perióticos son estructuras que presentan valor taxonómico y señal filogenética. Con base en los resultados morfométricos y las observaciones directas, preparamos un catálogo que describe los perióticos de cada especie, el cual se podrá emplear como una herramienta útil para fines de identificación. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-three species and four subspecies of odontocete belonging to five families (Delphinidae, Physeteridae, Kogiidae, Phocoenidae, and Ziphiidae) are distributed along the Pacific coast of northern Mexico. The morphological variability of these species has been studied extensively and a number of taxonomic studies have focused on cranial characteristics. The goal of this study was to describe the periotics of the odontocetes of the Pacific coast of northern Mexico and develop a taxonomic tool using descriptions of each species. We used a geometric morphometric analysis of 186 periotics housed in local and national osteological collections. Our results show the taxonomic value of periotics and a significant phylogenetic signal associated with this structure. Based on these results we present a descriptive catalog that can be used for identification purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shortbill spearfish Tetrapturus angustirostris Tanaka, 1915 is a widespread tropical and temperate species but is relatively rare, with very few published or cataloged records in museums and fish collections. We reported for the first time a specimen of T. angustirostris from the Pacific coast of Mexico, including meristic, morphometric and molecular data, which was caught in the vicinity of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in November 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]