Question

West Indian manatees are large aquatic mammals that live in rivers and near shore estuaries, especially in Florida. They have two flexible front flippers with three or four toenails, similar to elephant toenails. Though they lack hind limbs, manatees have vestigial pelvic bones, as shown in the diagram

Answer 1

West Indian manatees are large aquatic mammals exemplifying specialized adaptations for swimming in their riverine and estuarine habitats. They have evolved streamlined bodies with flipper-like appendages, and despite lacking hind limbs, display vestigial pelvic bones from their terrestrial ancestors. Mammals exhibit diverse locomotion adaptations, and the transition from land to aquatic life is evident through evolutionary history.

Step-by-step explanation:

West Indian manatees are fascinating aquatic mammals that exhibit specialized adaptations for their environment. As large mammals that frequent rivers and estuarine habitats, particularly in Florida, their body morphology reflects their aquatic lifestyle. Like elephants, manatees possess two front flippers with toenails which facilitate swimming. Missing hind limbs, manatees still retain vestigial pelvic bones, evidencing their land-based ancestry. These features highlight the variety of locomotion strategies mammals have evolved.

Significantly, mammals display a vast array of adaptations to their environments. Arboreal mammals have developed unique characteristics for tree-living, while aquatic mammals like dolphins have streamlined bodies and flippers adapted to swimming. Interestingly, mammals are the only group that transitioned from land back to the ocean, with examples like whales and dolphins evolving to live entirely in aquatic settings.

Answer 2

The existence of pelvic bones and toenails in manatees and elephants suggests that manatees and elephants evolved from the same land animal.