Morphology of the Auditory and Vestibular Organs in Mammals, with Emphasis on Marine Species

This monograph describes the directions of the structural evolution of the peripheral part of the auditory system in representatives of different ecological groups of mammals. Special attention is paid to the least studied orders of marine mammals (pinnipeds, cetaceans), being of great interest both with regards to the echolocating abilities in dolphins and the influence of the aquatic environment on the development of morphological adaptations in the structure of the outer, middle and inner ears.

Undertaken for the first time, a comparative embryological study of the peripheral part of the auditory system in marine mammals allowed the author to reveal the developmental pattern of the auditory and equilibrium organs in animals with a different auditory specialization. The influence of ecological factors on the adaptive trait development in the structural organization of the outer, middle and inner ears in semi-aquatic and aquatic species is discussed. The book is illustrated with a large number of high-quality micro-photos.

Other volumes in the Russian Academic Monographs series:

• Terrestrial Paleoecology and Global Change, Russian Academic Monographs, No 1

ISBN 978-954-642-153-7 (2003) Author: V.A. Krassilov

• Fish and Dolphin Swimming, Russian Academic Monographs, No 2

ISBN 978-954-642-150-2 (2002); Author: E.V. Romanenko

• Analytical Methods in Nonlinear Wave Theory, Russian Academic Monographs 3

ISBN 978-954-642-248-7 (2005) Author: I.A. Molotkov

• Riccati Equations, Russian Academic Monographs 5

ISBN 978-954-642-296-5 (2007); Author: A.I. Egorov

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