The international Harvard-led team found that, contrary to previous assumptions, the cetacean backbone is highly regionalized, despite being homogeneous in shape along its length.
They discovered that species living farther from the coast have more vertebrae, more regions, and higher burst swimming speed, unlike those living in rivers and bays.
When their ancestor went back into the water, whales and dolphins lost their hind legs and developed a fish-like body, showcasing significant evolutionary adaptations.
This study reveals how the transition from land to water approximately 53 million years ago has profoundly influenced the anatomy and abilities of cetaceans.
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