Organism

Dolphins

TL;DR

Marine mammals that independently evolved echolocation convergent with bats, and streamlined fusiform body shape convergent with fish and ichthyosaurs.

Delphinidae

Mammal

Marine mammals that independently evolved echolocation convergent with bats, and streamlined fusiform body shape convergent with fish and ichthyosaurs. The chapter uses dolphins as a key example of both behavioral convergence (echolocation) and morphological convergence (streamlined bodies for fast swimming). Molecular studies show convergent amino acid changes in the Prestin gene for high-frequency hearing.

Notable Traits of Dolphins

  • Echolocation
  • Streamlined body
  • Convergent hearing genes with bats

Related Mechanisms for Dolphins

Related Research for Dolphins