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Evolution of Whales
Apr 30, 2009
The Origin and Early Evolution of Whales: A Profound Transition from Land to Sea
(Thu. Apr. 30, 7:30-9:30pm, 180 PLC, UO campus)
Gingerich and his colleagues have shown that the ancestors of todays's whales once had legs, walked on land, and even gave birth on land before returning to the sea. Whales eventually evolved from land creatures into sea creatures, reversing our normal expectation that sea creatures migrated to land never to return. These findings illustrate a fascinating deeper point about the way evolution works: that it's not a directional or progressive process, but instead occurs opportunistically, as species change in unpredictable ways over the eons.
University of Oregon News Release:
Expert on whale evolution to give public talk at UO
As guest of Phi Beta Kappa, evolution expert Philip Gingerich will detail the land-to-sea route of whales
EUGENE, Ore. -- (April 9, 2009) -- University of Michigan paleontologist Philip D. Gingerich will speak on the origin and early life of whales at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, at the University of Oregon. His public lecture is part of a three-day visiting-scholar program hosted by the UO's Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
Gingerich, director of the UM's Museum of Paleontology, has shown that whales evolved from land creatures, walking and giving birth on land before going fulltime into the sea. His work illustrates how evolution is not always directional or progressive but can occur opportunistically as species change in unpredictable ways over long periods of time. Much of work has occurred in Pakistan and Egypt, where his team discovered skeletons linking whales to land mammals.
The UO's Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Kappa -- the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary society -- will welcome Gingerich on Thursday, April 30. During his stay he will visit undergraduate courses and meet with students and faculty. His public lecture and discussion will be held in 180 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall, 1501 Kincaid St. Admission is free.
"Professor Gingerich is an eminent paleontologist, an expert on evolution," said Ian F. McNeely, professor of history and president of PBK-Alpha. "While his visit is not part of the Darwin bicentennial celebration on campus, we feel his talk complements the spirit of the Darwin series."
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About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
Media Contact:
* Jim Barlow, director of science and research communications, jebarlow@uoregon.edu, 541-346-3481
Source: Ian F. McNeely, associate professor of history, 541-346-4791, imcneely@uoregon.edu
