McDonald_Evolution

From Land to Sea: The Evolution of Whales

Nicholas McDonald

Early Ancestors 

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Pakicetus was a small land predator that lived in coastal habitats.

It shows similar ear structure to modern whales that is unlike any other mammals. Ambulocetus was more adapted to aquatic life and spent time both in and out of water.

Maiacetus 

The next step in whale evolution Maiacetus lived a lifestyle similar to sea lions today.

The Aquatic Leap 

Dorudon was the first Tail flukes have ancient whale to live a developed but fully aquatic lifestyle. vestigial hind limbs are still plainly visible.

Whale Evogram 

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None of these ancient whales are direct ancestors of modern whales as far as we know. Whale Evolution Video

Questions?

Cited Works 

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Smithsonian Institute: http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-videos/evolutionwhales-animation National Geographic: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/08/wh ale-evolution/mueller-text/2 Understanding Evolution: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/e vograms_03 PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/4/l