HUMAN vs. BASILOSAURUS CHARACTERISTICS
-Comparisons between the basilosaurus' inner fish and our own inner fish
Skeletal Structure Differences
The skeletal structure of the Basilosaurus differs from that of modern day humans in many ways
- - Basilosaurus had fore limbs for swimming, hind limbs that are believed to only be used for mating, and an elongated spine that moved vertically
- Humans are suited for bipedalism and they have specalized fore limb bones which create arms that are capable of a wide array of movements.
Cellular and Chemical Structure Differences
While not much is known about the cellular and chemical structure of the Basilosaurus, it can be inferred that because the Basilosaurus was a marine animal, it most likely retained more of the original cellular structures related to early fish than modern humans of today possess.
Locomotion Differences
There are several locomotion differences between humans and Basilosaurus because of their environments.
- The Basilosaurus used strong front flippers to glide through the water and had a tail with a fluke for undulation. This animal had short weak hind limbs that aided in movement but were simply leftover from evolution. The structure of the Basilosaurus spine is believed to have only allowed it to move up and down in an eel-like pattern.
- Modern humans are bidpedal, using strong legs to move in its terrestrial environment. Although the arms are not used for walking, humans do use arms to perform everyday tasks.
- The Basilosaurus used strong front flippers to glide through the water and had a tail with a fluke for undulation. This animal had short weak hind limbs that aided in movement but were simply leftover from evolution. The structure of the Basilosaurus spine is believed to have only allowed it to move up and down in an eel-like pattern.
- Modern humans are bidpedal, using strong legs to move in its terrestrial environment. Although the arms are not used for walking, humans do use arms to perform everyday tasks.
Reproductive Strategy Differences
Both humans and the Basilosaurus are therian mammals yet the gestation periods of each differ.
- Because of its large size like whales today, the Basilosaurus probably had a long gestation period of at least one year. Once born, the young are nursed by the mother for an extended suckling period.
- Humans' gestation period only lasts nine months, significantly shorter than whales like the Basilosaurus, and have a long suckling period after birth.
- Because of its large size like whales today, the Basilosaurus probably had a long gestation period of at least one year. Once born, the young are nursed by the mother for an extended suckling period.
- Humans' gestation period only lasts nine months, significantly shorter than whales like the Basilosaurus, and have a long suckling period after birth.
Differences Concerning the Senses
Humans have specialized senses that the Basilosaurus, as well as whales today, lacked. It is also believed that the Basilosaurus would have had very primitive senses, because its brain capacity in proportion is smaller than the brain capacity of humans and marine mammals today.
- Humans have a good sense of smell, yet the Basilosaurus, like orcas today, did not have olfactory lobes in the brain and therefore could not smell.
- Both humans and the Basilosaurus have good eyesight, although when swimming in deep water the Basilosaurus probably depended on hearing.
- Unlike humans, the Basilosaurus had a secialized ear region in its skull, indicating that it had a good sense of hearing underwater.
- Humans have a good sense of smell, yet the Basilosaurus, like orcas today, did not have olfactory lobes in the brain and therefore could not smell.
- Both humans and the Basilosaurus have good eyesight, although when swimming in deep water the Basilosaurus probably depended on hearing.
- Unlike humans, the Basilosaurus had a secialized ear region in its skull, indicating that it had a good sense of hearing underwater.