EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The pelvic bones of whales are “one of the classic examples of a vestigial structure, ” said Otárola-Castillo. “But what we found was that the shapes of these bones are highly associated with the mating systems of these whales and dolphins-species that are more promiscuous have more-complex-shaped pelves.”

Detailed explanation-2: -The remaining non-utilized pelvic bones in whales and manatees are examples of vestigial structures. Vestigial structures are organs or anatomical structures that have been retained during evolution even though they have lost some of their ancestral functions.

Detailed explanation-3: -Examples of vestigial structures include the human appendix, the pelvic bone of a snake, and the wings of flightless birds.

Detailed explanation-4: -The pelvis and femur in whales are considered vestigial structures. These structures were inherited from ancestors that had a use for them, but are no longer used today. Whales evolved from animals that used to walk on land. Thus, these ancestors needed a pelvis and femur bones to do so.

Detailed explanation-5: -A vestigial structure is a biological structure that has lost a major ancestral function and is usually drastically reduced in size. Well-known examples include the eyes of blind cave fishes and blind cave salamanders, and the diminutive wings of kiwis and emus.