A delphinid petrosal bone from a gravesite on Ahu Tahai, Easter Island: taxonomic attribution, external and internal morphology.

Maëva Orliac, Catherine Orliac, Michel C. Orliac and Antoine Hautin

In this contribution, we describe the external and internal morphology of a delphinid petrosal bone collected from Ahu Tahai, a burial site located on the Southwestern coast of Easter Island, at Hangaroa. We discuss the taxonomic attribution of this archaeological item and describe its internal structures based on µCT data, including the bony labyrinth and the nerve and vein patterns. Identification of the nerves exists lead us to relocate the identification of the foramen singulare in delphinid petrosals.

  

indet. indet. AT1 View specimen

	M3#420 Stapes Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.420   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#421 petrosal bone Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.421   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#422 in situ bony labyrinth Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.422   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#423 bony labyrinth and associated nerves and blood vessels Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.423   state:published	Download 3D surface file