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Evolution of Thermoregulatory Function in Cetacean Reproductive Systems

  • Chapter
The Emergence of Whales

Part of the book series: Advances in Vertebrate Paleobiology ((AIVP,volume 1))

Abstract

Modern cetaceans possess a suite of morphological adaptations that permit their existence in the marine environment (e.g., Howell, 1930; Slijper, 1936, 1979). Their streamlined body shape, hypertrophied axial musculoskeletal system, thick blubber layer, and de novo dorsal fin and flukes are morphological features that reduce the energetic costs of both swimming (e.g., Fish and Hui, 1991; Williams et al., 1992; Fish, 1993a,b; Pabst, 1996) and whole body thermoregulation (e.g., Worthy and Edwards, 1990; Koopman et al., 1996).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Sciences and Center for Marine Science Research, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403, USA

    D. Ann Pabst & William A. McLellan

  2. Florida Marine Research Institute, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33711, USA

    Sentiel A. Rommel

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  1. D. Ann Pabst
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  2. Sentiel A. Rommel
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  3. William A. McLellan
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio, 44272, USA

    J. G. M. Thewissen

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Pabst, D.A., Rommel, S.A., McLellan, W.A. (1998). Evolution of Thermoregulatory Function in Cetacean Reproductive Systems. In: Thewissen, J.G.M. (eds) The Emergence of Whales. Advances in Vertebrate Paleobiology, vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0159-0_13

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