On the Taxonomic Identity of the Holotype of Tursio? Panope Philippi, 1895

Abstract

The recent assignation of the holotype skull of Tursio? Panope Philippi, 1895 to Cephalorhynchus eutropia is here critically reviewed. This re-identification was based on mt-DNA sequence analysis performed on one tooth of the holotype and of Chilean dolphin skulls available in the mammal collection at Chile's National Museum of Natural History. A detailed review of the diagnostic characters of the skull of Tursio? Panope demonstrates, however, that these are consistent with Lagenorhynchus obscurus, as was previously pointed out by other researchers. Circumstances are described, such as misplaced teeth, which could explain the discrepancy between the morphological and molecular characteristics and the respective identifications.