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Projekt Druckansicht

Funktionelle Schädelmorphologie archaeoceter und mysticeter Wale und der mögliche Verlust von Schädelasymmetrie in Verbindung mit der Entwicklung des niedrigfrequenten Hörens bei Bartenwalen

Antragsteller Privatdozent Dr. Oliver Hampe, seit 8/2016
Fachliche Zuordnung Paläontologie
Förderung Förderung von 2012 bis 2017
Projektkennung Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 231473506
 
Erstellungsjahr 2017

Zusammenfassung der Projektergebnisse

In order to understand the evolution and functional morphology of cranial asymmetry in whales in relation to the frequencies they hear or heard, 3D surface models of mysticete, odontocete, archaeocete, and terrestrial artiodactyl crania were generated using photogrammetry, CT scanning, and laser scanning, and cranial asymmetry was quantitatively analyzed using 3D geometric morphometrics. The relationship of cranial and cochlear shape with hearing frequencies was investigated by correlating cranial shape data with cochlear shape data derived from CT scans, and with known hearing frequencies as well as cochlear and cranial measurements. Finally, the suitability of photogrammetry and CT scanning for 3D surface reconstruction of paleontological specimens was tested. Results of the asymmetry analysis indicate that archaeocete cranial asymmetry is not significant when the cranial shape is analyzed in 3D and the rostrum is taken out of the equation, that there was no conspicuous directional cranial asymmetry in mysticetes at any time during the evolution of this clade, and that directional cranial asymmetry in cetaceans is restricted to odontocetes. Therefore, the original working hypothesis (cranial symmetry in extant mysticetes is secondary, asymmetry was reduced during mysticete evolution) is not supported. Results of the comparison of digitization methods for paleontological application generally recommend manual photogrammetry for external surface reconstruction, because it has a high degree of reproducibility and is the most efficient and least costly method of those tested. Their technical provide valuable advice for the application of 3D digitization techniques in paleontology. Results of the correlation of cranial and cochlear shape find that asymmetric and symmetric components of cranial shape correlate with cochlear shape and hearing frequencies in that the symmetric, broad mysticete cranial shape is linked to lower hearing frequencies and the asymmetric, “telescoped” odontocete cranial shape to higher hearing frequencies. Fahlke, J.M. 2015. Virtueller Schädel, echte Beule. Pages 258-259 in: Hermannstädter, A., Heumann, I. & Pannhorst, K. (eds.) Wissensdinge – Geschichten aus dem Naturkundemuseum. Nicolai-Verlag, Berlin. Also online together with Hampe, O.: http://www.mfn-wissensdinge.de/3d-kopf-mit-beule/

Projektbezogene Publikationen (Auswahl)

 
 

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