Anatomy and Age Estimation of an Early Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Fetus

This study develops a model of body length changes during blue whale development by integrating the large International Whaling Statistics (IWS) database, historical observations of blue whale migration and reproduction, and descriptions of fetal growth trends in other mammals. The model predicts an age of 65 days postconception for the specimen. The early developmental milestones of Balaenoptera mirror those of the odontocete Stenella to a remarkable extent, but the first appearance of the caudal fluke and dorsal fin are delayed relative to other morphological transitions. The accelerated prenatal growth characteristic of Balaenoptera occurs during fetal, not embryonic, development. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: The Anatomical Record Part B: The New Anatomist - Category: Anatomy Authors: Tags: Full Length Article Source Type: research