First Genetic Evidence For Loss Of Teeth In The Common Ancestor Of Baleen Whales

[Moontanman]

First Genetic Evidence for Loss of Teeth in the Common Ancestor of Baleen Whales

 

 

 

 

ScienceDaily (Oct. 1, 2010) — In contrast to a toothed whale, which retains teeth that aid in capturing prey, a living baleen whale (e.g., blue whale, fin whale, humpback, bowhead) has lost its teeth and must sift zooplankton and small fish from ocean waters with baleen or whalebone, a sieve-like structure in the upper jaw that filters food from large mouthfuls of seawater.

 

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100929171823.htm