For Enlarged View [ Click Here ] Right whale picture 1 the Femur and Tibia of the Right Whale This goes with EXAMPLE #5 F = Femur (thigh bone) T = Tibia (lower leg bone)

Here are some interesting facts concerning the pelvic anatomy of the majority of modern day whales, rather than the rare exceptions already noted above:

"The existence of a pair of small pelvic bones is known to exist in nearly all of the Cetacea, lying far apart from the vertebral column on both sides of the genital opening. However, in the Fin Whale, the Blue Whale, and the Humpback, the femur too is present near the pelvis. [Even in the Sperm Whale the femur is sometimes present (in the form of a small round-shaped bone near the pelvis). - E.T.B.] And in the Right Whale not only the femur but also the tibia exists. Of course these bones are buried deeply under the skin, causing no protuberance on the body surface." [Ogawa]

SEE THE TWO DIAGRAMS OF THE RIGHT WHALE'S PELVIS, FEMUR AND TIBIA
(based on dissections by Struthers)

"Nothing can be imagined more useless to the animal than rudiments of hind legs entirely buried beneath the skin of a whale, so that one is inclined to suspect that these structures must admit of some other interpretation. Yet, approaching the inquiry with the most skeptical determination, one cannot help being convinced, as the dissection goes on, that these rudiments [in the Right Whale] really are femur and tibia. The synovial capsule representing the knee-joint was too evident to be overlooked. An acetabular cartilage, synovial cavity, and head of femur, together represent the hip-joint. Attached to this femur is an apparatus of constant and strong ligaments, permitting and restraining movements in certain directions; and muscles are present, some passing to the femur from distant parts, some proceeding immediately from the pelvic bone to the femur, by which movements of the thigh-bone are performed; and these ligaments and muscles present abundant instances of exact and interesting adaptation. But the movements of the femur are extremely limited, and in two of these whales the hip-joint as firmly anchylosed, in one of them on one side, in the other on both sides, without trace of disease, showing that these movements may be dispensed with. The function point of view fails to account for the presence of a femur in addition to processes from the pelvic bone. Altogether, these hind legs in this whale present for contemplation a most interesting instance of those significant parts in an animal -- rudimentary structures." [Struthers, p. 142-143]

Another diagram showing the dissected Pelvis, Femur and Tibia of the Right Whale.
What's especially interesting about the Right Whale is the fact that Carl Wieland at Answers in Genesis in his article, "The Strange Tale of the Leg on The Whale," featured a photo of "the skeleton of a Greenland Right whale, with bony disease."

Well, here are diagrams of a dissection of a perfectly healthy Right Whale, showing its pelvis, femur and tibia. Sure look like "rudimentary hind legs to me," there's the hip bone connected to the leg bone, and the leg bone connected to the shin bone. All hidden inside the body of the Right Whale. Struthers' disections were performed over a century ago, and revealed them plain as day.

SOURCES:
Struthers, John, M.D., Professor of Anatomy in the University of Aberdeen. (1881) "On the Bones, Articulations, and Muscles of The Rudimentary Hind-Limb of the Greenland Right-Whale (Balaena mysticetus)." Journal of Anatomy and Physiology (London), Vol. 15, p. 141-321.

Ogawa, R., and Kamiya, T. A. (1957) "Case of the Cachalot [Sperm Whale] With Protruded Rudimentary Hind Limbs." Scientific Reports of the Whales Research Insititute, No. 12, p. 197-208.

Struther's Dissection of Whale Pelvis, Femur and Tibia

Dissection that was done on a hind limb from a whale by Struthers in 1893 revealing tibia and femur.
Larger image located here.

RELATED ARTICLES

Hind Limb Bud Images, Dolphin Embryo and Fetus Development
Photographs of hind limb buds on a five week old Pantropical Spotted Dolphin embryo, and 1.5 to 4 month fetus development. Images courtesy of Dr. J.G.M. Thewissen.

Whale Anatomy and Photos of Limb Rudiments on Modern Day Whales

Photographs from the Milwaukee Public Museum, of their Humpback and Pilot Whale skeletons exhibit. With comments by Dr. J.G.M. 'Hans' Thewissen
Historical Examples of Limbs on Whales

Atavism in Whales #1
1958, caught in the Bering Sea - An X-Ray revealing bone structures and a photograph taken of the protrusions on the whale's body.

Atavism in Whales #2
1919 Historical record and photos of a female humpback with protruded hind limbs including femur, tibia and tarsus, and 1914 report of protruded limbs on embryos. Images of protruded limb on Cachalot.

Atavism in Whales #3
Female Sperm Whale, caught in 1956. Upon examining the interior of the limb three partially cartilaginous bones were found. Corresponding to the pelvis, femur, and possibly to the tibia.

Atavism in Whales #4
A list of catches between 1956 and 1963 of whales caught and discovery of hind limb protrusions, including the approximate percentage of whales.

Atavism in Whales #5
Struthers' commentary on the dissection of a right whale and photos from the Museum of Zoology, including further diagrams. Some interesting facts concerning the pelvic anatomy of the majority of modern day whales.

RECOMMENDED READING

The Emergence of Whales, Evolutionary Patterns in the Origin of Cetacea (Advances in Vertebrate Paleobiology) (Hardcover)
by J. G. M. Thewissen (Editor)

Review from Journal of Mammology, August 6, 2002
Reviewer: Jasmine Benzvi (New York, NY)
'Up to now, a 'state of the art' summary of research on whale origins has not been available. This book admirably fills that void and should be added to the library of any serious mammologist or paleomammalogist.'
- by Annalisa Berta

Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Hardcover)
by William F. Perrin (Editor), Bernd Wursig (Editor), J.G.M. Thewissen (Editor)

"This impressive reference would make an excellent addition to any library..."-ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DINOSAURS AND VOLCANOES (February 2003)

"Very highly recommended for students, professionals, researchers and lay people with an interest in marine mammals." WILDLIFE ACTIVIST (Fall 2002)

"...an excellent resource for beginning research. ...This encyclopedia is very highly recommended for all academic and larger public libraries." Teresa Bowden, Villanova University Falvey Memorial Library for E-STREAMS (September 2002)

"...students beginning postgraduate study on marine mammals and researchers and academics working on marine mammals will find it indispensable."

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RELATED ARTICLES
Photos of hind limb rudiments on modern day whales (and creationist "answers")
Arguments used by Young Earth Creationists in attempt to discredit (and deny) evidence for whale evolution. Exploring argument fallacies and reasoning of those who reject Darwinism.

Milwaukee Public Museum Whale Mount - Hind Limb Rudiments
Photographs of Vestigial Hind Limb/Pelvis in modern whales (Humpback and Pilot Whale Skeletons).
Includes photographs contributed by the Milwaukee Public Museum of their whale skeleton(s) exhibit, and comments by Professor Hans Thewissen, featured in the November 2001 National Geographic, "The Evolution of Whales".

Evolution of Cetacea (Whales, Porpoises, Dolphin)
Includes numerous photographs of whales with hind limbs, and a variety of 'creation science' claims, debunked by Ed Babinski. Includes chart of prehistoric whales, which began as land mammals transitioning to water-dwelling sea mammals. Article reviewed by Professor Hans Thewissen with brief comment(s).

Review of Strange Tale of the Leg on the Whale
Vestigial pelvises on whales, denial of femurs by Creationists (calling it bone disease). Creationists say these remnants were designed for copulation only, but science says this is how Evolution works --finding new purpose for old structures.

Review of Overselling of Whale Evolution
Questions on the dating of varied early whales, and further suggested reading on whale evolution. The evolution of eco-location, and the brain of humans vs. cetacea.

Article last updated October 22, 2005
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