All articles tagged with #cetaceans
In 1984, scientists at the NMMF observed unusual human-like vocalizations from beluga whales, especially NOC, who could mimic speech by manipulating his nasal passages and melon shape, highlighting the complex vocal abilities of belugas and their unique communication methods.
The discovery of the Indohyus fossil in the Himalayas has provided crucial insights into the evolutionary journey of cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins, from land to sea. Indohyus, a small, deer-like creature, shares anatomical features with modern cetaceans, including a thick ear bone used for underwater hearing. This fossil, along with others like Ambulocetus, highlights the transition of some terrestrial mammals back to aquatic environments, leading to the evolution of today's marine cetaceans.
Scientists from Brazil's University of Campinas Institute of Biology have discovered that the large size variation among cetacean species is largely explained by the activity of specific gene regions, shedding light on the genetic basis of giant ocean creatures. The study focused on the promoter region of a gene called NCAPG, revealing that it plays a crucial role in causing cetaceans to grow to enormous sizes. The research may also advance cancer treatments, as the regulatory sequences identified could influence the animals' ability to suppress cancer. This new understanding of cetacean genetics could potentially lead to the development of future cancer treatments through the activation or inhibition of specific regions of the genome.
Researchers from the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute discovered a dolphin off the coast of Greece with strange, hooked thumbs carved out of its flippers. This is the first time such a flipper anomaly has been observed in 30 years of surveys in the open sea. The deformity is likely the result of rare and irregular genes that emerged from constant interbreeding. While all dolphins have thumbs, they are usually concealed by their flippers. The thumbed dolphin in question is missing fingers and some tissue that would usually encase them, but it is still thriving.
Scientists have made a surprising discovery in Greece, where they found a dolphin with what appears to be a pair of "thumbs" on its flippers. This is the first time such an anomaly has been observed in 30 years of research. The dolphin, believed to be the result of genetic aberration caused by inbreeding, seems to be accepted by its pod and shows no signs of illness. All cetaceans possess human-like forearms and "fingers," but they are usually concealed within flippers. The thumb-like appendages on this dolphin are non-functional and serve no identifiable purpose.
A scientific report reveals the diverse and inventive methods of sexual engagement among animals. Serotine bats have been found to mate without penetration, transferring semen through contact with the vulva. Dolphins engage in mass orgies on the move, while whales engage in foreplay for hours and exhibit homosexuality. Octopuses and cuttlefish have unique mating rituals, and walruses possess the largest penis bones among mammals. Birds also have peculiar mating behaviors, such as dunnocks inducing females to expel sperm from previous partners and female muscovy ducks evolving incompatible vaginas to avoid unwanted attention. Humans, too, are animals, and sex remains an improbable arrangement across species.