Heterochronic maturation of anatomical plugs for protecting the airway in rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae)
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Documents
- Fulltext
Final published version, 1.2 MB, PDF document
Recently, a unique mechanism for protecting the airway during lunge feeding was discovered in rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae). This mechanism is based on an oral plug structure in the soft palate with similarities in musculo-fatty composition to the nasal plugs protecting the respiratory tract of rorquals from water entry and barotrauma during diving. As a follow-up, we present here a developmental series on fetal, prenatal, juvenile and adult specimens across five species of rorquals, showing differential maturation of the nasal and oral respiratory protection plugs. Nasal plugs are fully formed to serve an immediate crucial function at birth. By contrast, the soft palate remains muscular until the onset of solid food intake, where a musculo-fatty oral plug is developed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 220459 |
Journal | Royal Society Open Science |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 12 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISSN | 2054-5703 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors.
- development, lunge feeding, magnetic resonance imaging, nasal plug, oral plug, X-ray computed tomography imaging
Research areas
ID: 336464273