The Whales of National Geographic

["Jaime A. Headden" <qilongia@yahoo.com>]

  New in this illustrious, up-to-date, technical modern magazine:

  Douglas Chadwick's piece on whale evolution.

  Chadwick, D.H. 2001. Evolution of whales. _National geographic Magazine_ 200 
(5): 64-77.

  Includes the quote from (what else) Melville's _Moby Dick (or: the White 
Whale)_: "Then the
whole world was the whale's; and, king of creation, he left his wake...."

  Summarizes recent commentary on the evolution of whales. Except ... it was 
written and put into
press (without emendation) before the papers on recently found protocetids and 
pakicetids. Hence,
the caption regarding *Pakicetus* known only from a skull. There are some nice 
summaries of
evolution in the whale lineages, including paintings of the development of the 
auditory apparatus,
retraction of the external nares, and degeneration of the hiundlimb. Showcased 
are Thewissen (of
*Ambulocetus*) and de Muizon. Pretty nice photos in it, check it out.


=====
Jaime A. Headden

  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhr-gen-ti-na
  Where the Wind Comes Sweeping Down the Pampas!!!!

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