Die Senkrechte in der Evolution

Wieso liegt die Fluke beim Wal quer?
Jahrbuch für Goetheanismus 2011, 2011, P.7-24 | DOI: 10.18756/jfg.2011.7

Abstract:

The upright position in the evolution: ‘Why is the fluke of the Whale shaped horizontally?’

Dolphins and whales are water-based mammals and differ in various characteristics from fish, the predominant water species. A comparison of those two animal groups provides helpful insights into basic concepts of evolution. Evolutionary research currently assumes that the water-based mammals participated in the evolutionary transition from water to landbased animals, but subsequently reverted to a water-based lifestyle.

Key characteristics which discriminate whales and dolphins from fish are: lung-based respiration, the respiratory storm which is localized at the top end of the body, size and weight of the body, reproduction with an enormous focus on birth, feeding, and nursing of individual baby calves, and a steady body temperature despite the arctic habitat.

Furthermore, whales and fish are differentiated by their respective movements. While horizontal movements are typical for the fish. vertical movements of the body are characteristic for whales and dolphins. ln accord with these different axes of movement, the respective key organ of movement of the fish, the rail fin, is vertical‚ whereas the whale's fluke is horizontal.

The different impact of body weight and the trend towards a vertical body axis are key principles that shape the evolutionary transition from water to a land-based lifestyle. Taking into account those principles, we will try to provide some insight into the characteristic body shape and movement in whales and dolphins.

References

  • GOETHE, J. W. (1794): Zitiert nach SAFRANSKI, R. (2009), Goethe und Schiller. Geschichte einer Freundschaft, S. 107-108. München
  • GRIMM, J. und W. (2001): Zitiert nach Esterl, A. (2001), Die schönsten Märchen der Brüder Grimm. Esslingen
  • KÖNIG, K. (1983): Bruder Tier. Mensch und Tier in Mythos und Evolution. Frankfurt am Main
  • KÜMMELL, S. (2008/2009): Zeitmuster in der Evolution der Säugetiere und ihrer Vorläufer. Jahrbuch für Goetheanismus 2008/2009: 41-79. Niefern-Öschelbronn
  • PERREY, W. (1982): Sternbilder. Himmelsatlas für das ganze Jahr. Stuttgart
  • SCHAD,W (1998): Vom Menschlichen in der Natur. Tycho de Brahe-Jahrbuch für Goetheanismus 1998: 293-340. Niefern-Öschelbronn
  • VERHULST, J. (2003): Developmental Dynamics in Humans and Other Primates, pp. 143-149. Ghent, NY
  • WIKIPEDIA (2011): www.wikipedia.de. Suchbegriffe: Delphin, Sternbild, Sagen
  • ZINK, J. (1998): Die Bibel neu in Sprache gefasst, S. 405-407. Stuttgart