Cetacean Evolution: Copulatory and Birthing Consequences of Pelvic and Hindlimb Reduction

• Main Authors: Cooper, Lisa Noelle, Suydam, Robert, Thewissen, J. G. M.
• Format: Book Part
• Language: unknown
• Published: Springer International Publishing 2023
• Subjects: Freed; Balaena mysticetus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35651-3_4; https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-031-35651-3_4

Abstract The earliest fossil cetaceans (archaeocetes) dramatically shifted the shape and articulation of the pelvis and hindlimbs during the land-to-sea transition. Archaeocetes were mostly semi-aquatic “walking whales” that used powerful hindlimbs to walk on land and swim to reach new aquatic sourc...