Whale evolution is something that I have blogged on before. This paper describes the discovery of yet another transitional fossil between artiodactyls and whales. The new species is called Maiacetus inuus, which means mother whale of inuus ( Inuus being the Roman god of fertility). It is so called, because one specimen was pregnant (the foetus is the blue shaded object below). What is interesting is that it is in a head down position; modern whales give birth tail first. This suggests that birth still took place on land. Not surprisingly, it is found in the right part of the world to be an intermediate form (Pakistan) and its morphology dates to the correct era too; 47.5 million years old. This makes it older than the more whale like Basilosaurids, and younger than the more primitive Ambulocetus, Indohyus and Pakicetids.
2 comments:
One day God is going to put one of these fossils in the wrong place - just to test our faith :-)
So when did they change from head first to tail first?
Wouldn't this be a bit of a problem - tail first - for land animals? At least, a bit risky?
Unfortunately, we cant tell without the fossils - other than less than 47 Mya. You would expect the adaptation to occur before giving birth in the water. I think seals actually give birth tail first. I'll need to check that.
How are the fire affecting you?
Post a Comment