Vertebrate Zoology

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Odontoceti

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

Odontoceti (toothed whales; cohort Mutica, order Cetacea) A suborder of marine mammals that comprises ancestral forms, known from the Upper Eocene, and the four superfamilies: Squalodontoidea (extinct forms), Platanistoidea (river dolphins), Physeteroidea (large whales), and Delphinoidea (smaller whales, dolphins, and porpoises). Teeth are always present, and may be numerous (e.g. squalodonts, which possessed up to 180 teeth, one porpoise which had 300, and the river porpoise Platanista, which has more than 50), or reduced to a single tooth (Monoceros). The teeth are simple and peg-like and are not differentiated into incisors, canines, etc. There is a single nasal opening and the nasal bones do not form part of the roof of the nasal passage.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Odontoceti." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Odontoceti." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Odontoceti.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Odontoceti." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Odontoceti.html

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toothed whales

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

toothed whales See ODONTOCETI.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "toothed whales." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "toothed whales." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-toothedwhales.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "toothed whales." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-toothedwhales.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Whales drink sounds: hearing may use an ancient path.(This Week) Magazine article from: Science News; 2/9/2008
	Giants of the Deep.(whales) Magazine article from: The World and I; 6/1/2004
	Whale of a change for cetacean history. (research indicates that Odontocetes... Magazine article from: Science News; 2/20/1993