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.)

LAND TO SEA: INNER EAR TRANSITIONS IN WHALES
Image Source: Home Archive; based on an Image in Nature
Vestibular evidence for the evolution of aquatic behaviour in early cetaceans
by F. Spoor, S. Bajpai, S. T. Hussain, K. Kumar and J. G. M. Thewissen

Intermediate Ear Bone Fossil

Intermediate Ear Bone Fossil

Image Source: Home Archive; based on the photograph in National Geographic November 2001,"The Evolution of Whales"
[The controversial earbone, as it was pictured on a fingertip.]

"A Tale of Two Earbones"
featuring comments by Hans Thewissen, Ph.D.

"Beautifully Intermediate" says Hans Thewissen, "It's structure helps answer how a land mammal's ear adapted to underwater sound." (pictured above) a middle ear bone from a 50-million year old Pakicetid. The bone shown in the picture comes from a paper in Nature 1996, or from Thewissen - Northeastern Ohio Universities ], and is an incus.
- J.G.M. Hans Thewissen

Zimmer and Gingerich are talking about the tympanic. (below) Both are earbones, but they are different.

"One particularly baffling fossil was the back part of a 50-million-year-old skull. It was about the size of a coyote's and had a high ridge running like a mohawk over the top of its head, where muscles could attach and give the mammal a powerful bite. When Gingerich looked underneath the skull, he saw ear bones. They were two shells shaped like a pair of grapes and were anchored to the skull by bones in the shape of an S. For a paleontologist like Gingrich, these ear bones were a shock. Only the ear bones of whales have such a structure; no other vertebrate possesses them."
- Carl Zimmer

Thanks to Professor Hans Thewissen, Ph.D. for his insightful comments on the featured graphic above.

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 Vestigial Hind 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."

    • Ring List
    Ring List Next Home Contact



    Article last updated October 22, 2005
    Certified error free by http://htmlvalidator.com