Convergent evolution explains the similarity in body structure of the swordfish and dolphins, where two different organisms that are not closely related, independently evolved similar structures. Subjected to the similar aquatic environment and similar challenges, the swordfish and dolphins developed a similar body structure, a streamlined body (Figure 12; Baltimore, 2002). The streamlined body is the body structure that is broad in the middle and narrow at both ends. The development of the streamlined body is an advantageous structure to living in an aquatic environment. The streamlined body made it more efficient for locomotion, by reducing water resistance, thus increasing the efficiency of swimming for marine animals and for the vertebrates’
animals the streamlined body aid in steady swimming (Woodward et al, 2006).
Acanthostega had a fish-like tail and gills for breathing under water, this being the aquatic part of it. But at the ends of the arms were “peddle-shaped” appendages, thought to be the first “hands” on Earth. Clack’s discovery proved that some fish had arms and legs in the water. It showed that arms and legs were already evolved before organisms started actually living on land, they were used more for survival than walking. In a sense, the “blueprints” of an arm were already in place.
Analysis of "Mirror Self-Recognition in Bottlenose Dolphins: Implications for Comparative Investigations of Highly Dissimilar Species"
In the book, Your Inner Fish, by Neil Shubin he presents the notion of evolution and how we can trace parts that make up the human body back to jellyfish, worms, and even fish. The book not only discusses how we arose to be what we are today, but also the implications our ancestors had on our current body plan. In this essay, I will demonstrate that I have digested the entirety of Shubin’s book by convincing you (dear reader) that everything in our bodies is based on simple changes to already existing systems. To make this case, I will use the evidence of limb development in a vast array of organisms, the four arches found in the embryological stage of development, the structures inside our noses, and how our ears have come about all due to modifications.
There’s No Real Good Guy In the movie, “Blackfish” we are exposed to the fact that the way orcas are treated at SeaWorld is worse than we are lead to believe. We see how they are forced to swim in tiny pools and how they can only be fed if they preform well. After seeing this it makes you feel like the only way to help these poor creatures is to jump on the animal activist wagon and to free all the whales like in “Free Willy”. But is that really the right way to go?
You are smelling the salty water around you and you suddenly feel something pass your leg.It`s a bull shark waiting to devour you.These species and the hammerhead are the two species of shark that you would not want to be noticed by.Both species are extremely dangerous and deadly.Bull and hammerhead sharks have many similarities and differences.The differences between these two species concerning apperance,diet,size and other important factors of the species` lives are important to know in case of close encounter and need of survival.It is important to know what they look like so it is easier to identify them and to know their special abilities so they will be easier to evade.Hammerhead sharks and bull sharks are very aggressive towards their prey and take over most oceans.These species are very important because if you want to study them for research,then you should know their normal personality traits for easier behavioral comparisons.
Scientists had some idea to the evolutionary process of whales. “It has always been clear that aquatic cetaceans must have evolved from terrestrial mammals and returned to the water, and the forelimbs of recent cetaceans still have the same general pattern as that of land mammals.” (Walking with Whales) It was known fact that land mammals and whales were related. However, the change from ancient whales to modern whales is drastic.
I chose dolphins because they are such elegant creatures, even though wild dolphins are often dangerous. Dolphins are my favorite creatures in the world, and people ought to respect them more.
The body shape of a killer whale is streamlined and round at both ends. This characteristic is quite energy saving for swimming. Compared to whale shapes, this body shape makes the whale faster. (SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment).
The origin of modern day whales, a mystery that has puzzled paleontologists for years, may have just been solved with the discovery of an ankle bone. This discovery might sound simple and unimportant, but the bones of these ancient animals hold many unanswered questions and provide solid proof of origin and behavior. The relationship between whales and other animals has proven to be difficult because whales are warm-blooded, like humans, yet they live in the sea. The fact that they are warm-blooded suggests that they are related to some type of land animal. However, the questions of exactly which animal, and how whales evolved from land to water, have remained unanswered until now.
Cetaceans are thought to be some of the most intelligent species on this planet. Popular culture has embraced the idea of cetacean intelligence with shows such as the 1960s hit TV series Flipper, where a dolphin is used to help fight crime. In his comedic science fiction novels, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, author Douglas Adams suggests that dolphins are the second most intelligent creatures on Earth, behind mice and above humans. Although most scientists would probably argue that humans are the most intelligent species, the behavior and brain size of dolphins and other cetaceans suggests that they too are intelligent. This paper will briefly describe the reason some scientists believe cetaceans are intelligent species and then give examples of scientific studies, which suggest cetacean intelligence. Since bottlenose dolphins and orcas are the most widely studied cetaceans, the survey of field studies will primarily focus on these two species. At the end, this paper provides an argument of why some scientists discredit the high degree of cetacean intelligence.
The Order Cetacea is one of the most distinctive and highly specialized groups of mammals. Over the course of evolutionary history, cetaceans have become adapted to surviving and prospering in a vast aquatic environment. One of the most important obstacles they have overcome is the ability to be obligate ocean dwellers while still breathing oxygen. Cetaceans are able to remain underwater for extended periods of time, returning only to the surface to exhale. Diving beneath the surface is an essential component of life for these species since almost all of their food sources are found under the surface of the ocean.
The day has come in my household where poles are being taken for the next family member. After careful consideration, my family and I have narrowed down the new family member to be either a dog or a fish. At first glance, I thought these two animals to be on completely opposite ends of the spectrum of pets, and after careful consideration, dogs and fish have a good bit of similarities and differences. Both animals need to be fed daily and kept in a clean environment. However, these differences will be the determining factors as to which new family member wins. The differences in dogs and fish are found within their habitat, interaction, and levels of activity.
The world we live in today is full of an exceptional variety of animals. The time it took to conclude to the various sorts of species seen today has been throughout a period of millions of years. The vast majority of these animals are accredited to evolutionary advancements. When the environment changes, organisms have become accustomed to changing to fit their environment, to ensure their species does not die off. These physical changes have resulted in different phyla, ranging from basic structures, like sponges to advance systems, like that of an octopus.
Dolphins are well known for their agility and playful behavior in the wildlife of all the oceans in the world. They have many characteristics, and also there are a variety of different types and kinds of dolphins, which make them very intelligent creatures. Dolphins are smart marine mammals and great swimmers. They are known to be very friendly to humans and other wildlife creatures, dolphins often display a playful attitude which makes them popular to human nature and the culture. They can be seen jumping out of the water,riding waves, play fighting and occasionally interacting with people swimming in the water. Dolphins love hanging along the sea shores of all beaches around the coast, where it is warm and tropical(Fun dolphin facts).Dolphins are believed to be the most intelligent animals on earth
Did you know in the world there are more than 90 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises? (WDC) The dolphin is a very important animal to the ocean and there are many different types to discover. In order to learn about dolphins, it is important to discuss where they live, their appearance, and what they eat. Some helpful words to understand are “dorsal fin”, a dorsal fin is the top pointed fin on the dolphins back, “flippers”, a flipper is a flat fin that dolphins use to swim, and “echolocation” is a tool dolphins use to find food by sounds bouncing off of objects (dictionary.com).