Skulls of the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena (Mammalia: Cetacea, Odonticeti) from Mauritania and Morocco, West Africa

Two skulls of harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena from Mauritania and five from Morocco are described and their measurements compared with data from the literature. The condylobasal length (CBL) of one of the skulls from Mauritania (NMR 9990-00167) is 301 mm and the rostrum length is 135 mm and of one of the skulls from Morocco (NMR 9990-01498) 297 mm and 134,2 mm respectively. These dimensions are exceptionally large compared to skulls of harbour porpoises from northern regions in the Eastern North Atlantic (ENA). The size of NMR 9990-00167 and the reconstructed total body length (TBL) of 177.7 cm are also extraordinary with respect to its young age (2 years, not yet sexually mature). Compared to other harbour porpoises in the ENA, the length and diameter of the teeth of NMR 9990-00167 are unusually large as well, and are more in line with those of specimens from southern European countries (Spain, Portugal) rather than those from more northerly populations. Based on the two skulls described here, it is apparent that harbour porpoises from West Africa are significantly larger than those from the more northern waters of the ENA and belong to a separate, isolated population. In addition, both skulls from Mauritania show features of a chronic pyogenic osteomyelitis.