Evolution of Whales Quiz

When did the first whales evolve?

• Over 50 million years ago

• 15 million years ago

• 5 million years ago

• 100 million years ago

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What feature of Pakicetus skulls resembles those of living whales?

• Inner ear region

• Teeth

• Tail

• Legs

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Which early whale is mentioned as having a more aquatic lifestyle than Indohyus and Pakicetus?

• Basilosaurus

• Dorudon

• Ambulocetus

• Cetotherium

What evolutionary change in whales indicates they lived in nearshore marine habitats?

• Development of larger fins

• Higher levels of saltwater oxygen isotopes

• Growth of longer tails

• Increase in body size

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How do whales move their tails when swimming?

• Side to side

• Up and down

• In circles

• Diagonally

What skeletal change allowed whale limbs to be used for steering?

• Reduction in limb size

• Separation of pelvis from backbone

• Growth of larger fins

• Development of stronger muscles

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What does the horizontal position of whale tailfins indicate?

• They are closely related to fish

• They evolved from land mammals

• They are adapted for deep diving

• They are used for defense

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What is the significance of the change in whale vertebrae from body to tail fluke?

• It allows for faster swimming

• It marks a change in their vertebral column

• It helps in maintaining balance

• It reduces body weight

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What does the undulating movement of a whale's vertebral column resemble?

• A fish swimming

• A bird flying

• A dog running

• A snake slithering

What do the vestigial hindlimbs of basilosaurids indicate about their ancestry?

• They were always aquatic

• They had a terrestrial heritage

• They evolved from birds

• They were related to reptiles

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