There is a very interesting theory on the nature of relationship between cetaceans and humans. Paula Peterson has a decent article on the matter from where the following quotes originate. Its requoted in essence here as I had difficulty in locating the writing on her pages.
Please see: http://www.paulapeterson.com/dolphin_human_connection.html
"The
aquatic ape theory was first put forward by Alister Hardy, research
scientist and Professor of Zoology, Oxford University, back in 1960.
Hardy suggested that many of the characteristics that make humans so very different than the apes can be accounted for if humankind passed through a semi-aquatic phase a very long time ago.
An increasing number of anthropologists and other scientists are considering the aquatic ape theory more seriously."
Hardy suggested that many of the characteristics that make humans so very different than the apes can be accounted for if humankind passed through a semi-aquatic phase a very long time ago.
An increasing number of anthropologists and other scientists are considering the aquatic ape theory more seriously."
Scientific evidence suggests that human's are more closely related to dolphins, far more than they are related to apes. This is not some hokus pokus theory - but with solid evolutionary hard evidence.
"Continuing research
increasingly supports that humans, dolphins, and apes evolved from a
common ancestor.
Why hasn't any of this research been made more public? Obviously, it clashes with the versions set down by academic institutions throughout the world: humans evolved from the apes - and few have challenged it. Darwin did a good job of convincing us, and largely, his theories laid the foundation for all subsequent research studies involving human origin. Studies on human-ape correlation seem endless."
Why hasn't any of this research been made more public? Obviously, it clashes with the versions set down by academic institutions throughout the world: humans evolved from the apes - and few have challenged it. Darwin did a good job of convincing us, and largely, his theories laid the foundation for all subsequent research studies involving human origin. Studies on human-ape correlation seem endless."
From an abundance of suggestive link perhaps the following is the most indicative:
"Although most apes have
a fear of water,
humans are highly attracted to water and will swim for pleasure. Human
infants can swim before they can walk. These traits are uncommon among
the apes. Humans are also equipped with a diving reflex. This is not
found among apes. When a human dips his face in water, the heart rate
immediately slows down. This kind of reflex is found in dolphins,
whales and all animals that dive.
Humans perspire as a response to heat. Apes do not. Humans shed tears. Apes do not. The interesting thing about tear glands is that it is commonly found among sea mammals as an adaptation to the marine environment. "
Humans perspire as a response to heat. Apes do not. Humans shed tears. Apes do not. The interesting thing about tear glands is that it is commonly found among sea mammals as an adaptation to the marine environment. "
But just the facets surrounding the brain should be enough to indicate the primordial common bond:
And
then, of course, there are many studies comparing the similarities of
the human and dolphin brain. Dolphins and humans both have huge
cerebral (neocortical) development, which is apparently on the same
scale. On the other hand, the brain of the ape is very small, with very
little neocortex development. Dolphins are amazingly intelligent; there
is no question about it. However, how researchers go about determining
intelligence is through human perspective. It is not only possible, but
highly likely that dolphins have an intelligence that goes well beyond
our ability to measure it, and that they use their intelligence in a
very different way than we do.
For instance, inside the dolphin brain is a chamber that baffles researchers: recent studies imply that this mysterious area of the brain may serve in achieving meditative states, contemplation or abstract thought. A favorite theory is that this chamber is not only responsible for all these activities, but that it additionally serves in telepathic communication and in visualizing in holographic fashion.
Among the apes, there has been a steady, adaptive increase in brain size throughout their evolutionary period. Yet the prehistoric development of the human brain does not follow this trend: it takes an unprecedented leap forward"
For instance, inside the dolphin brain is a chamber that baffles researchers: recent studies imply that this mysterious area of the brain may serve in achieving meditative states, contemplation or abstract thought. A favorite theory is that this chamber is not only responsible for all these activities, but that it additionally serves in telepathic communication and in visualizing in holographic fashion.
Among the apes, there has been a steady, adaptive increase in brain size throughout their evolutionary period. Yet the prehistoric development of the human brain does not follow this trend: it takes an unprecedented leap forward"
Paula suggests the following literature Elaine Morgan The Descent of Woman and The Aquatic Ape and Water and Sexuality byDr. Michel Odent.
Humans Genes Closer
To Dolphins' Than Any Land Animals by Seema Kumar
Discovery Channel Online News
January 1998
For years, marine biologists have told us that dolphins share many traits with humans, including intelligence and friendliness. Now, a comparison of dolphin and human chromosomes shows that the genetic make-up of dolphins is amazingly similar to humans.
In fact, researchers at Texas A&M University have found that dolphins have more in common with us genetically than cows, horses or pigs.
"The extent of the genetic similarity came as a real surprise to us," says David Busbee of Texas A&M University, who published his results in last week's Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics.
This information will not only help researchers construct the genetic blueprint of dolphins, but also bolster conservation efforts.
Aided by the progress made in mapping the human genome, researchers will continue to identify individual genes on dolphin chromosomes. Busbee estimates it will save them 20 years of work, and the similarities and differences will reveal how long ago humans and dolphins branched off the evolutionary tree.
Researchers at Texas A&M University applied "paints," or fluorescently labeled human chromosomes, to dolphin chromosomes, and found that 13 of 22 dolphin chromosomes were exactly the same as human chromosomes.
Of the remaining nine dolphin chromosomes, many were combinations or rearrangements of their human counterparts. Researchers also identified three dolphin genes that were similar to human genes.
Until now, researchers have never been able to do genetic studies of dolphins because they are a protected species, making it difficult to get tissues from them. However, Busbee was able to grow colonies of cells from fetal tissues when a female dolphin miscarried.
"Dolphins are marine mammals that swim in the ocean and it was astonishing to learn that we had more in common with the dolphin than with land mammals," says Horst Hameister, professor of medical genetics at the University of Ulm in Germany.
In the past 15 years, the world's dolphin populations have declined considerably, exacerbated by high levels of PCBs. Researchers speculate that PCBs impair the immune systems of dolphins, leaving them vulnerable to disease.
"If we can show that humans are similar to dolphins, and anything that endangers dolphins is an equal concern for humans, it may be easier to persuade governments to become serious about combating industrial pollution and keeping oceans clean," says Busbee.
By Seema Kumar, Discovery Channel Online News