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<p>The Amazonian basin is inhabited by four river dolphins species, three belonging to the <i>Inia</i> genus (<i>I. geoffrensis</i>, <i>I. boliviensis</i> and <i>I. araguaiaensis</i>) and <i>Sotalia fluviatilis.</i> Although sympatric, these species greatly differ in morphological characteristics mostly related to specific ecologies and use of space in the Amazon environment. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to review current knowledge of&#xa0;the morphological differences among <i>Inia</i> spp. and <i>Sotalia fluviatilis</i>, especially regarding&#xa0;the skeleton, myology, communication, and diet. Studies have shown that<i> Inia</i> spp. differ in skull size and measurement parameters among species and within the same species (subspecies), thus suggesting that these variations might have been environmentally driven. Regarding muscle arrangement, <i>Inia</i> spp. seem to have developed conspicuous features that have&#xa0;provided the genus with unique flipper movements compared to other dolphins, and <i>Sotalia fluviatilis</i> has a modified framework compared to marine dolphins. Finally, both species also differ in echolocation capabilities, which could be explained by morphological traits related to their hearing organs, which also relate to their ecological habits. We present the most important information gaps and aspects that should be further considered in the next morphological studies regarding these species. The presented data highlight species adaptations to their environment and how these changes might have led to niche differentiation among these sympatric species in the Amazon biome.</p>

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How anatomical and morphological differences among sympatric Amazonian river dolphins reflect adaptations to species ecology

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月11日

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  • Helena Gurjão Pinheiro do Val,
  • Adria da Costa Moreira,
  • Kliszilla Paula Avila,
  • Isadora Safira Carvalho Dias,
  • Maria Clara Cauassa Rodrigues

摘要

The Amazonian basin is inhabited by four river dolphins species, three belonging to the Inia genus (I. geoffrensis, I. boliviensis and I. araguaiaensis) and Sotalia fluviatilis. Although sympatric, these species greatly differ in morphological characteristics mostly related to specific ecologies and use of space in the Amazon environment. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to review current knowledge of the morphological differences among Inia spp. and Sotalia fluviatilis, especially regarding the skeleton, myology, communication, and diet. Studies have shown that Inia spp. differ in skull size and measurement parameters among species and within the same species (subspecies), thus suggesting that these variations might have been environmentally driven. Regarding muscle arrangement, Inia spp. seem to have developed conspicuous features that have provided the genus with unique flipper movements compared to other dolphins, and Sotalia fluviatilis has a modified framework compared to marine dolphins. Finally, both species also differ in echolocation capabilities, which could be explained by morphological traits related to their hearing organs, which also relate to their ecological habits. We present the most important information gaps and aspects that should be further considered in the next morphological studies regarding these species. The presented data highlight species adaptations to their environment and how these changes might have led to niche differentiation among these sympatric species in the Amazon biome.