Scientists for many years have debated the origin of whales and their relationship to land animals. The answer might come as a surprise to many, it is the hippo. Hippopotami, through visual and fossil studies are classified as being ancestors of pigs or horses. That assumption is based largely on the structure of their molars. The discovery of the relationship of whales and hippos was discovered over 30 years ago. But there was a missing link. It seems DNA and molecular facts are not enough for some to tie the hippo to modern cetaceans (dolphins,whales, porpoises). But a recent fossil discovery has finally supported what has been known for many years. Hippos are more closely related to whales then any other land animal. The discovery, a 47 million year old fossil was made by University of Michigan paleontology Professor Philip Gingerich. This discovery will hopefully allow DNA to assist paleontology without the actual physical proof of fossil records. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-09/uom-nfs091401.php
That's a very interesting topic, i never would have thought that these two animals derive from the same family type, though they are both immense in size the characteristics seem too different for them to me related. But it is very cool that they are.
ReplyDeleteWow,thats crazy!! I never would have thought there was any link between the two.
ReplyDeleteThis article is really interesting. I think it's completely bizzare that their are no other land mammals that could be more closely linked to hippos than whales. They seem completley different but I guess that's what makes this article cool. It's amazing the things scientists can figure out.
ReplyDelete