Digital reconstruction preserves skeleton of rarest marine mammal
8 reported
Scientists have created a digital reconstruction of the skeleton of the world’s most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita, a small porpoise found only in Mexico’s northern Gulf of California. The project used medical imaging, ultra-high-resolution micro CT scans, and photography to digitize the complete skeleton of a female vaquita collected in 1966. Researchers have made the imaging freely available online so scientists worldwide can study the rare specimen without risking damage to the physical bones. The study, published in the journal Marine Mammal Science, was led by Florida Atlantic University, San Diego Natural History Museum, SeaWorld California, and Noaa Fisheries. According to the WWF, only between seven and 10 vaquitas remain in the wild, down from about 600 in a 1997 survey. The species’ decline is attributed to bycatch in gillnets used by illegal fisheries targeting totoaba. The vaquita was only recognized as a species in 1958 and grows to about 5 feet in length.
What’s reported
Scientists created a digital reconstruction of a female vaquita skeleton using medical imaging, micro CT scans, and photography.
The skeleton was collected in 1966.
The imaging is freely available online for research.
A 1997 survey reported about 600 vaquitas; the WWF now estimates between seven and 10 remain.
The decline is driven by bycatch in gillnets used by illegal totoaba fisheries.
The study was published in Marine Mammal Science.
The research team included Florida Atlantic University, San Diego Natural History Museum, SeaWorld California, and Noaa Fisheries.
The vaquita was recognized as a species in 1958 and grows to about 5 feet.
Key figures
Jamie Knaub, lead author and doctoral researcher at Florida Atlantic University
Sources: The Guardian
