Osteologia do boto cinza, Sotalia fluviatilis Gervais, 1853, da costa do estado do Ceará, Brasil

Abstract

The bone morphology of the gray dolphin, Sotalia fluviatilis has been described in detail, showing the main characteristics of the Delphinidae family and emphasizing the particularities of the species. 32 skeletons from the osteological collection deposited under the responsibility of the Association for Research and Preservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (AQUASIS) were used, carrying out morphometric studies relevant to the establishment of growth relationships of individuals. Based on the characteristics presented by the analyzed skeletons, an ontogenetic classification model was proposed, defined by the variations in certain bone structures. In this way it was possible to group skeletons of different sizes into four different age classes. Based on this analysis, it was possible to develop an osteological identification model suggested for the marine population of S. fluviatilis.