Craniometric measurements and some anatomical characteristics of the cranium in Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus, Hermann 1779)

Abstract

Mediterranean monk seal is one of the endangered species and it is estimated that the total number of this aquatic mammal is less than 600 all over the world. The cranium and the mandible of 2 male and 1 female seals which lived in Turkish coasts and washed ashore as dead were examined morphometrically and macro anatomically. The craniometric measurements were carried out from the reference points. The mean weight of the cranium and the mandible was 1168 g and mean length of the cranium, from acrocranion to prosthion, was 26.86 cm, mean length of the mandible, from condylar process to cranial part of alveolar (infradental) arch, was measured as 20.03 cm. The aim of this study which included 35 parameters for cranium and 11 parameters for mandible was to reveal the morphometric and certain macroanatomic data concerning the Mediterranean monk seal lived in Turkish coasts and to shed a light to the studies on the endangered species.