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The Dolphin With Leftover Legs

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the pass-me-the-speech-center-of-the-brain dept.

ectotherm writes "Japanese scientists have captured a dolphin with vestigial legs. Evidence, it would seem, of a land-dwelling past and observable evolution." From the article: "Fishermen captured the four-finned dolphin alive off the coast of Wakayama prefecture (state) in western Japan on Oct. 28, and alerted the nearby Taiji Whaling Museum, according to museum director Katsuki Hayashi. Fossil remains show dolphins and whales were four-footed land animals about 50 million years ago and share the same common ancestor as hippos and deer. Scientists believe they later transitioned to an aquatic lifestyle and their hind limbs disappeared. Whale and dolphin fetuses also show signs of hind protrusions but these generally disappear before birth."

7 of 441 comments (clear)

  1. Not vestigial... by kooky45 · · Score: 2, Funny

    The dolphins are growing new limbs they'll need to construct their spaceships to get off the earth.

  2. Self defense really. by kooky45 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The dolphins need hind legs to roundhouse the sharks with frickin' lasers on their heads.

  3. Dolphins coming ashore... by Hamster+Lover · · Score: 2, Funny

    Fishermen captured the four-finned dolphin alive off the coast of Wakayama prefecture (state) in western Japan on Oct. 28, and alerted the nearby Taiji Whaling Museum, according to museum director Katsuki Hayashi.

    Anyone considered that dolphins are growing hind limbs so they can go ashore to capture a few Japanese to take back to their Hominid Museum?

  4. should the vestigial limbs be removed.... by jemptymethod · · Score: 5, Funny

    that would be de-feeting the porpoise

  5. Close shot of the four legged dolphin by suv4x4 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Close shot of the four legged dolphin can be seen here.

  6. The Land Sharks have been doing it for years by HighOrbit · · Score: 2, Funny

    [visitor] Knock Knock...
    [you] Who's there?
    [visitor] Pizza Delivery
    [you] I didn't order any pizza.
    [visitor] umm....Avon
    [you--while opening the door]. I didn't order any....AHHHAAGG

  7. Re:You are the FIRST STUPID person i saw on slashd by Dunbal · · Score: 2, Funny

    and why the world is STILL suffering from new 'flu' types coming out of china due to the abhorrent amount of germs and viruses your genocide with those bi-weapons caused to breed there over time.

          As a physician I'd just like to say one thing:

          Huh?

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.