compostgoblinSep 19, 2025

Natural selection at work

https://piefed.blahaj.zone/post/299967

Show threadNoSpotOfGroundSep 19, 2025

Context for this:

The common ancestor that links whales and deer existed millions of years ago and exhibited features shared by both groups. This ancestor likely possessed basic artiodactyl characteristics, such as an even number of toes on each foot and a certain bone structure within the ear. Over time, as these creatures diverged to inhabit distinct environments, their physical traits adapted accordingly. Despite these differences, the underlying genetic similarities persist, revealing their deep-rooted connection.

How Do Deer And Whales Have The Same Ancestor?

The natural world is full of astonishing connections and relationships that often lie hidden beneath the surface. One such fascinating…

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Show threadryedaftSep 19, 2025
Was the common ancestor carnivorous or herbivorous?
Show threaddanc4498Sep 19, 2025
It ate krill
Show threadryedaftSep 19, 2025
Weird to think that deer descended from krill eaters. Maybe that’s why they love salt licks so much.
Show threadexasperation

I remember reading that the common ancestors of all birds was carnivorous. Basically every herbivore bird descended from carnivores.

See also the giant panda and the red panda.

Sep 19, 2025 at 8:37pmWeb
Show threadSuperIceSep 19, 2025
Eh, the giant panda isn’t the best example. It’s digestive system is still optimized for meat, which is why the need to eat a lot of bamboo and eat very specific parts of it that have a similar nutritional makeup as meat. They wouldn’t be able to survive eating other plants, but they could survive (and thrive) eating meat.
Show threadexasperationSep 20, 2025
It’s interesting because it’s very obvious, biologically, that the panda has a digestive system that has a carnivore past, and yet, the very plentiful biomass in bamboo forests just waiting to be eaten rewards the animals that can make use of it. So the giant panda may or may not be “optimized” for meat, but has generations that came out of the free food that is bamboo, so that their very survival depends on a herbivore diet.