Research methods and Comparative examination of pinniped craniofacial musculature and its role in aquatic feeding ...

• Main Author: Kienle, Sarah
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Dryad 2021
• Subjects: FOS Biological sciences; Mirounga angustirostris; Northern elephant seal; Zalophus californianus; California sea lion; Weddell seal; Leptonychotes weddellii; Pusa hispida; ringed seal; Phoca vitulina; harbor seal; Erignathus barbatus; Bearded seal; Craniofacial muscles; Musculoskeletal; mastication; Biting; Suction; Suction feeding; hyoid; facial morphology; Facial muscles; Tongue; feeding; Anchorage; Fairbanks; Pacific; Weddell; bearded seal; Elephant Seal; Elephant Seals; Weddell Seal; Weddell Seals; Alaska; walrus*
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.47d7wm3d3; https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.47d7wm3d3

Secondarily aquatic tetrapods have many unique morphological adaptations for life underwater compared to their terrestrial counterparts. A key innovation during the land-to-water transition was feeding. Pinnipeds, a clade of air-breathing marine carnivorans that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses, have evolved multiple strategies for aquatic feeding (e.g., biting, suction feeding). Numerous studies have examined pinniped skull and dental specializations for underwater feeding. However, data on the pinniped craniofacial musculoskeletal system and its role in aquatic feeding are rare. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to conduct a comparative analysis of pinniped craniofacial musculature and examine the function of the craniofacial musculature in facilitating different aquatic feeding strategies. We performed anatomical dissections of 35 specimens across six pinniped species. We describe 32 pinniped craniofacial muscles—including facial expression, mastication, tongue, hyoid, and soft palate ... : We conducted detailed dissections of the craniofacial musculoskeletal anatomy of six pinniped species: bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus, n=6), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus, n=5), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina, n=6), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris, n=11), ringed seals (Pusa hispida, n=6), and Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii, n=1; Table S1). Specimens were obtained from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Fairbanks, AK), the Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, CA), Moss Landing Marine Lab (Moss Landing, CA), Ohio University (Athens, OH), the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (Laguna Beach, CA), SeaWorld San Diego (San Diego, CA), the University of Alaska (Anchorage, AK), and the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC; Santa Cruz, CA). Specimens were obtained through NMFS permits #358-1787, #15324, #18786-04; MMHSRP #18786-04, and NMFS Southwest Region letters of authorization to A. Berta (San Diego State University) and S. Kienle (UCSC) All specimens were ...