Why do whales have finger bones inside their flippers?
Whales are marine mammals that evolved from land-dwelling ancestors millions of years ago. Their flippers are modified forelimbs, and they contain bones that are homologous to the fingers of humans and other terrestrial animals. This is because whales evolved from a group of four-legged mammals called artiodactyls, which includes animals such as pigs, cows, and hippos. Artiodactyls have five digits on each forelimb, and these digits are supported by bones called phalanges. When whales evolved to live in the ocean, their forelimbs became modified into flippers, but they retained the same basic bone structure.
The finger bones inside whale flippers are vestigial, meaning that they no longer serve a functional purpose. However, they are an important reminder of the evolutionary history of whales and their relationship to other mammals.
Related Questions:
- What type of animals are whales?
- Marine mammals
- What are whales' flippers modified from?
- Forelimbs
- What type of bones are found inside whale flippers?
- Finger bones
- What is the term for bones that no longer serve a functional purpose?
- Vestigial
- What animal group did whales evolve from?
- Artiodactyls
Related Hot Sale Products:
- Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 39 Running Shoe
- Adidas Ultraboost 22 Running Shoe
- Brooks Ghost 15 Running Shoe
- Hoka Clifton 8 Running Shoe
- Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 Running Shoe
Pre：What would it be like if our skeletons were naturally metal instead of bone
Next：Is it possible for science to determine the traits of a hair from a skeletal remain