Cranial Variation and Taxonomic Revision of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops spp.) from Japanese Waters

Abstract: We analyzed the skulls of 27 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) from the waters around Japan to clarify their systematics. We divided the Japanese bottlenose dolphins into two morphological groups. Group A was comprised of six specimens from the coastal waters of the Amami Islands, Amakusa-Shimoshima Island, and Mikura Island. Group B included 21 specimens from other waters around Japan. Comparisons with type specimens showed that Groups A and B were identical to the types of T. aduncus and T. truncatus, respectively. These results support previous molecular studies on some specimens identified as T. aduncus.

Key Words: TURSIOPS ADUNCUS; TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS; BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN; JAPANESE WATERS; MORPHOLOGY; TAXONOMY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1578/AM.32.3.2006.289

Page Numbers: 289 – 300

$12.00Add to cart