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Homology and Transformation of Cetacean Ectotympanic Structures

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Book cover The Emergence of Whales

Part of the book series: Advances in Vertebrate Paleobiology ((AIVP,volume 1))

Abstract

The ectotympanic bullae of whales and land mammals have many differences that resulted from the morphological divergence of whales from their ungulate ancestors. These differences in bullar structure are the product of functional adaptation of cetaceans to the aquatic environment, and ontogenetic alteration of the ancestral precursor condition of the terrestrial ungulates.

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  1. Section of Vertebrate Paleontology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213-4080, USA

    Zhexi Luo

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  1. Department of Anatomy, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio, 44272, USA

    J. G. M. Thewissen

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Luo, Z. (1998). Homology and Transformation of Cetacean Ectotympanic Structures. In: Thewissen, J.G.M. (eds) The Emergence of Whales. Advances in Vertebrate Paleobiology, vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0159-0_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0159-0_9

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