REDESCRIPTION OF THE CHINESE WHITE DOLPHIN 
spine (Fig. 2b). The axis was not fused to the atlas and had short 
processes but a well-developed neural spine (Fig. 2c). 
There were seven cervical, 12 thoracic, 23 lumbar and 18 caudal 
vertebrae. No vertebrae were fused (Fig. 3a). The first vertical 
perforating foramen appeared on the 25th vertebra which was also 
the first to have greatly reduced metapophyses and the last with 
distinct transverse and neural processes. There were 12 vertebral 
ribs on both the left and right sides, six of which on each side were 
double-headed (Fig. 3b). There were five sternal ribs on each side 
(Fig. 3c). 
The sternum was notched with a perforation on the left side and 
two lateral processes on each side (Fig. 4a; note that the right side of 
the sternum was damaged during preparation). There was one 
Sil 
mesosternal element which equalled two thirds of the manubrium. 
The radius and ulna were longer than the humerus, although the 
latter was wider and more robust. The transverse breadth of the 
carpals was short and the pectoral fin elongated (Fig. 4b). The 
scapula had a sharply pointed coracovertebral angle, a broad 
metacromion process and a smaller, pointed, coracoid process (Fig. 
4c). 
The bullae of the tympanoperiotic bones were rounded and 
bulbous and the dorsal plane of the periotic convex; the fundus of the 
internal auditory meatus and the aquaductus fallopii were ovoid; the 
aquaductus cochleae had a distinct ridge; the join between the 
cochlear portion and the rest of the periotic was rounded and 
smooth. 

Fig.4 The a, sternum and b, pectoral fin skeletal elements of the neotype of Sousa chinensis 
