1 of 5000

|

wood prints prehistoric wood prints nature wood prints whale wood prints ambulocetus wood prints basilosaurus wood prints mammal wood prints cetacean wood prints biology wood prints zoology wood prints palaeontology wood prints marine biology wood prints palaeobiology wood prints palaeozoology wood prints illustration wood prints 8 wood prints

photographs prehistoric photos nature photos whale photos ambulocetus photos basilosaurus photos mammal photos cetacean photos biology photos zoology photos palaeontology photos marine biology photos palaeobiology photos palaeozoology photos illustration photos 8 photos

Add This Artwork to Your Favorites Collection

Comment

Add This Artwork to Your Favorites Collection

Comment

Whale evolution. Illustration of six prehistoric whale ancestors and two modern whales (bottom). From top to bottom, the prehistoric genera are: Pakicetus (52 to 48 million years ago), Ambulocetus (47 to 41 million years ago), Remingtonocetus (45 to 43 million years ago), Protocetus (45 to 43 million years ago), Basilosaurus (40 to 33 million years ago) and Dorudon (40 to 33 million years ago). All lived during the Eocene, and form part of the evolutionary tree that resulted in modern cetaceans (whales). Starting from a semi-aquatic habitat, successive stages of evolution resulted in fully aquatic marine mammals, the loss of rear limbs, and the evolution of differing feeding mechanisms. The two modern groupings of whales at lower right are (top to bottom): baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti). This version of this image includes a geologic timescale across bottom. For a series that includes labelled and unlabelled versions of this image, see C046/8240 to C046/8244.

Science Photo Library (SPL) is the leading source of science images and footage. Sourced from scientific and medical experts, acclaimed photographers and renowned institutions, our content is unrivaled worldwide. Outstanding quality, accuracy and commitment to excellence are deeply embedded in our DNA. Science Photo Library inspires creative professionals and delivers engaging content of the highest quality for a wide range of clients in a variety of sectors. Visit sciencephoto.com for more information and stay connected on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Vimeo.