title: Variation of age and total length in Sotalia guianensis (Van Bénéden, 1864) (Cetacea, Delphinidae), on the coast of Espírito Santo state, Brazil.
abstract: Variations of age and total length of Sotalia guianensis from the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, were evaluated. Specimens were found stranded. Age and total length of 44 Guiana dolphins were assessed based on tooth analysis. Age varied between 0.5 year and 33 years (mean = 8.23 years). Most specimens were between zero and 6 years old (47%). Total length varied from 119 cm to 198 cm, with mean of 172.52 cm. Asymptotic length was reached at 185 cm and approximately 5-6 years of age. Mean total length and age were higher than in other regions of the distribution range of the species. Nevertheless, more studies have to be carried out to evaluate the morphological variations in S. guianensis populations in the study area and Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Morfologia e Patologia Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, CEP 28016-000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Morfologia e Patologia Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, CEP 28016-000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: A P M
authors.initials: APM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Morfologia e Patologia Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, CEP 28016-000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Instituto ORCA, Rua São Paulo, 23, Praia da Costa, CEP 29101-315, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Morfologia e Patologia Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, CEP 28016-000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Silveira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D001938:Brazil; D004289:Dolphins; D008136:Longevity; D014070:Tooth