Cetartiodactyla

Question 1

Give the number of sub orders and species in this order,

Answer 1

77 species in 2 suborders

Question 2

Name the 2 suborders of this order

Answer 2

Baleen Whales (10 sp)
Toothed Whales (67 sp)

Question 3

Give a description of the Mysticeti (Baleen Whale).

Answer 3

Horny plates instead of teeth to filter plankton & invertebrates

Question 4

Give a description of the Odontoceti (Toothed Whale)

Answer 4

Feed on fish and squid using echolocation

Question 5

What are the closest living relatives of the Cetartiodactyla ?

Answer 5

Artiodactyls

Question 6

When did the 2 characteristic features (echolocation and baleen plates) evolve in their respective suborders ?

Answer 6

After the 2 groups separated ancestrally, Common ancestor did not have both.

Question 7

Describe briefly the evolutionary history of this order.

Answer 7

Hippo like creatures 
Begun to spend time in water 
over time lost fore limbs, developed longer tail. 
Lost hind legs, tail fluke evolves
2 sub orders separate

Question 8

Give some of the main adaptions of the blue whales (baleen)

Answer 8

Largest Whale
Streamlined, lost hind limbs
no external ears
Boneless tail fluke

Question 9

What are baleen plates ?

Answer 9

Filter feeding system which hangs from the upper jaw,

Instead of teeth

Question 10

How do baleen whales communicate ?

Answer 10

Through production of low frequencies.
Deep ocean channels form under specific temperature, currents & densities.
Channels trap sound and amplify it.

Question 11

How can you differentiate between baleen and toothed whales ?

Answer 11

Baleen- 2 blowholes

Toothed- Single blowhole

Question 12

How do baleen whales win females ?

Answer 12

By singing, best vocal ability wins

Are able to teach songs to each other

Question 13

Give the distinguishing features of the toothed whales head

Answer 13

Jaws extend in beak like snout

Behind snout, the forehead rises in a rounded curve (Melon)

Question 14

Why has echolocation evolved in 13 species of toothed whales ?

Answer 14

Little light underwater

Sound travels further than in air

Question 15

Which group of whales, baleen or toothed have more diversity ?

Answer 15

Toothed

Dolphins, porpoises, narwhales

Question 16

How is the echolocation produced in Toothed whales ?

Answer 16

Clicks produced via monkey lips in the nasal passages

The melon (waxy, lens shaped) focuses sound at the forehead

Clicks bounce of prey item

Returning sound is channelled through oil filled sinuses in lower jaw to inner ear

inner ear isolated from skull by bubbly foam.

Question 17

Describe the echolocation of sperm whales

Answer 17

Only produce clicks

Create intense ultrasound which can stun prey

Question 18

What adaption have some species evolved to counter the echolocation of whales ?

Answer 18

Sensitivity to ultrasound as a means of predation avoidance.

Question 19

What impact are humans having on marine interspecies communication ?

Answer 19

Production of sound pollution, difficult to communicate effectively.