From Land to Water: the Role of Development in the Evolution and Diversification of Baleen and Toothed Whales

2026-07-22

Cetaceans (baleen whales and toothed whales) are a distinctive group of mammals that has evolved unique adaptations to live in water. Their impressive fossil record traces their evolution from their terrestrial ancestors (Artiodactyla), to the present aquatic forms. All living cetaceans have flippers instead of limbs, possess a blowhole at the top of the head instead of an anteriorly-positioned nose. They have also developed a characteristic head shape connected to their feeding mode: while baleen whales have lost their teeth and feed using keratinous plates called baleen, toothed whales have evolved the ability to locate their prey using sound waves (echolocation). Changes in prenatal development (ontogeny) played a major role in allowing these animals to evolve the skull adaptions they currently display related to their peculiar traits. Though, little information is available on their development, limiting our understanding of the role of ontogeny in the evolution of modern cetaceans. This project aims to apply 3-dimensional (3D) imaging and cutting-edge geometric morphometric (GM) and phylogenetic methods to quantify the ontogeny of the skull in a diverse sample of cetaceans and terrestrial artiodactyls in order to reconstruct how development has shaped the evolution and diversification of this unique group of mammals. This project will produce high-quality 3D datasets that will be shared in on-line repositories, making rare fetal specimens of toothed and baleen whales accessible for further research and for outreach initiatives. The project will benefit from the expertise in GM methods of a world-renowned researcher and her team, and the vast collection of specimens available at the host institution. Through this fellowship, the researcher will be reintegrated in the European scientific community and master key skills to then start her independent career. She will learn new methodologies, while strengthening transferrable professional skills.

United Kingdom (UK)

2026-02-15