Linked Life Data

20830764

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/20830764

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
11
pubmed:dateCreated
2010-11-1
pubmed:abstractText
Presence of saw-toothed structures (serrations) on the leading edge of the flippers in the Commerson's dolphin and their relation with directional asymmetry in the appendicular skeleton were investigated in individuals from the Tierra del Fuego population, Argentina. Serrations were more frequent in the left flipper than in the right (P < 0.001) and in males than in females (P < 0.001). Serration length was significantly longer in the left flipper than in the right (P = 0.023), in males than in females (P = 0.004), and in older individuals than young (P < 0.001). The length of the radius (P = 0.028) and the length (P = 0.004), width (P < 0.001) and weight (P = 0.006) of the scapula showed significant directional asymmetry favoring the right side, whereas the length (P < 0.001) and width (P < 0.001) of the second digit favored the left side. The asymmetry appears to be innate in the species but is likely to be enhanced by differential mechanical stress between flippers as a result of lateralized behavior. We propose that the left flipper would be more flexible and preferably used in sensory or tactile activities that involve the serrations, whereas the right flipper would be more responsible for actions requiring a larger muscular exercise, possibly related to the maintenance of stability during swimming.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Nov
pubmed:issn
1932-8494
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
293
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1816-24
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2010
pubmed:articleTitle
Serrated flippers and directional asymmetry in the appendicular skeleton of the Commerson's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii).
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Animal Biology-Vertebrates, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. engomez@ub.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't