Noun
- Any of various large marine mammals belonging to the former suborder Pinnipedia , such as walruses, sea lions or seals.
Adjective
pinniped- Pertaining to such a mammal.
Read full definition at wiktionary.org
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Evolution
Recent molecular evidence suggests that pinnipeds evolved from a bearlike ancestor about 23 million years ago during the late Oligocene or early Miocene epochs, a transitional period between the warmer Paleogene and cooler Neogene period.The earliest fossil pinniped that has been found is Puijila darwini, of about 23 million years ago. Pujilla had heavy limbs, indicative of upright movement on land, and flattened phalanges, indicating that they were probably webbed, but not yet flippers. The discovery of Pujilla in northern Canada strongly suggests that pinnipeds originated in the Arctic. The reference to Charles Darwin is in honor of his contention made in On the Origin of Species (1859) thatA strictly terrestrial animal, by occasionally hunting for food in shallow water, then in streams or lakes, might at last be converted in an animal so thoroughly aquatic as to brace the open ocean "'Missing link' fossil seal walked", BBC News, 22 April 2009 The otter-like mustelid Potamotherium may actually represent an even earlier phase in the evolution of pinnipeds.Rybczynski, N., Dawson, M.R & Tedford, R.H. (2009): A semi-aquatic Arctic mammalian carnivore from the Miocene epoch and origin of Pinnipedia. Nature no 458, pp 1021–1024. Full text Read full entryThis entry is from Wikipedia,the leading user-contributed encyclopedia.It may not have been reviewed by professional editors(See full disclaimer)
- 1.Pinniped - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Pinnipeds (from Latin pinna, wing or fin, and ped-, foot) or fin ... Pinniped phylogeny and a new hypothesis for their origin and dispersal" ... Pinniped Seal ...
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P
inniped
- 2.pinniped: Definition from Answers.com
- pinniped ( ) adj. Of or belonging to the Pinnipedia, a suborder of carnivorous aquatic mammals that includes the seals, walruses, and similar animals ... Pinniped Seal ...
- http://www.answers.com/topic/p
inniped
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The biggest pinniped is what |
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The Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) is one of two species of elephant seal. It is not only the most massive pinniped but also the largest member of the order Carnivora to have ever lived. The seal gets its name from its great size and the large proboscis of the adult males, which is used in making extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating season. |
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Does anyone else think that If you think that dolphins and
whales must have looked like
animals that lived in and out
of the water at some stage in
their evolution, with half
formed flippers and tails -
don't you think in 25 odd
million years the pinniped's
will resemble whales and
dolphins?
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It's entirely possible, although you might consider evolutionary pressure driving the transition from semi-aquatic to entirely aquatic living. Seals still need dry land to give birth and raise pups, which is why the youngsters are born with fur. You'll notice that dolphins and other cetaceans no longer have fur, but it's entirely possible the semi-aquatic creatures they evolved from did. Seals are so well-adapted for sea life that most species lose their fur in adulthood as they no longer require it. On the other hand, if selection drives it, it is also possible that seals could become predominantly land-based animals, spending less time (evolutionarily speaking) in the water. |
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Two of the species of Two of the species of
pinnipeds (pinnipeds are
fin-footed mammals) that the
crew of the Healy have seen
are Walruses and Spotted
Seals. Walruses are huge,
weighing up to 4,500 lbs, and
have large tusks. Spotted
Seals only weigh up to 270
lbs. What percent heavier is a
walrus of maximum weight than
a spotted seal of maximum
weight? Express your answer to
the nearest whole number.
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The answer is the proportional difference: (4500 - 270)/270*100 = 4230/270*100 = 1567% |
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