Cetacean Evolution (Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises)
Evidence of Common Ancestry of Cetaceans and Certain Species of Land Mammals
by Edward T. Babinski


(Reviews of several creationist articles that deny such evidence exists.)

INTRODUCTION
"Whales have been trouble for scientists since Linnaeus put together the first modern taxonomy in 1735, 'Amidst the greatest apparent confusion, the greatest order is visible,' Linneaus wrote about classification, and yet when he tried to classify whales, he seemed only to add more confusion. Were they fish or mammals? 'These are necessarily arranged with the Mammalia,' he demanded, 'though their habits and manners are like those of fish.' Whales, he pointed out, have hearts like ventricles and auricles like mammals, they are warm-blooded, have lungs, nurse their young -- just like mammals on land. They even have eyelids that move. . . Darwin viewed the similarities that Linnaeus had found as signs that whales (including porpoises and dolphins) descended from mammals that lived on land."
-- Carl Zimmer, Evolution

 

 


Source: PBS - WGBH Boston "Evolution" Project
Image may be re-distributed on the condition that all credits stay intact:

Reprinted with permission from Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea, by Carl Zimmer. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2001. Source: Art by Deborah Perugi, adapted from Carl Buell's cladogram from At the Water's Edge, by Carl Zimmer, Free Press, 1998.


Thewissen 2002, Origin of Whales

Answers in Genesis' Response on Evidence for Whale Evolution
Dr. Sarfati's response to a simple request to examine the evidence of hind limb rudiments on modern day whales.

Back to Main Index
Cetacean Evolution (Whales, Porpoises, Dolphins)
Photos of limbs on modern day whales.

The Evolution of Whales

The Fighting Natans

RECOMMENDED READING

The Emergence of Whales, J.G.M. Thewissen, PhD
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
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."

    • RELATED ARTICLES
    Whale Evolution - Struther's Dissection of Whale Pelvis, Femur and Tibia
    Diagram of a dissection that was done on a hind limb from a whale by Struthers in 1893 revealing tibia and femur.

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