The occurrence and position of the \xe2\x80\x9dconnecting sac\xe2\x80\x9d in the nasal tract complex of small odontocetes (Mammalia, Cetacea)

• Main Author: Schenkkan, E.J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1971
• Subjects: Lagenorhynchus albirostris; Phocoena phocoena
• Online Access: https://repository.naturalis.nl/pub/505059

The aspects of the \xe2\x80\x9cconnecting sac\xe2\x80\x9d are studied in Lagenorhynchus albirostris, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens, Lagenorhynchus acutus, Tursiops truncatus, Delphinus delphis, Phocoena phocoena, Sotalia guianensis, Stenella coeruleoalba and Stenella frontalis.\nComparing the development of the connecting sac in the various species it is found that there are great variations. These variations are also found in the various individuals of the same species. For this reason the importance of this structure in soundproduction is open to doubt.\nThe development of the connecting sac seems to be related to the development of the posterior part of the naso-frontal sac in such a way that, when a large and well developed posterior part of the naso-frontal sac is present, the connecting sac is small. The extreme situation is found is Phocoena phocoena where the posterior part of the naso-frontal sac is very large, while the connecting sac is often found to be reduced or completely absent.