Lecture: Whale Origins: a Classic Evolutionary Scenario and how a New Fossil Find can Totally Rearrange Palaeontological Thought
Speaker:
Entry Fee
Members: Free
Visitors: £5.00
Date and Time
19:30 -
Location
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN
Lecture Description
The origin of whales is one of the great classic examples of an evolutionary transition where a highly distinct group evolves from another. In this case marine swimmers from terrestrial mammals. For decades the consensus was that cetaceans (whales) had originated in the Palaeogene from a group of terrestrial semi-carnivorous archaic mammals called Mesonychids. But very recently published finds show that cetaceans are more closely related to artiodactyls - hoofed mammals! In addition to this information,the geology and the palaeoecology of the locality (Eastern Tethys) in which whales show their origin will be covered. This geological information allows the reconstruction of the environmental and ecological conditions that facilitated the beginnings of cetaceans. Whale origins will be considered from the viewpoint of the palaeobiology and ecology of the remarkable mammals and also the geological data that provides the essential background to this classic example of evolution.
Attending via Zoom
This is a hybrid meeting: you can attend in person or join online via Zoom.
Bath Geological Society Members: Free of charge. Joining instructions and the Zoom link are sent to members by email prior to the lecture.
Visitors & Non-Members: (including members of the Geologists' Association and affiliated societies) Please book via Eventbrite to receive Zoom access (see the Entry Fee details above).
How to join: Click the Zoom link provided in your email or Eventbrite confirmation. You can join using the Zoom desktop or mobile app, or directly via your web browser without installing any software. The virtual waiting room opens approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, and attendees will be admitted before the talk commences.
For any queries about joining online, please contact [email protected].