Reconstructing the fossil cetaceans: A modern perspective

Abstract

The scientific illustration has been an important tool in the representation and divulgation of scientific publications, even more in paleontology because allows to visualize how extinct organisms looked through inferences and hypothesis based on science, commonly known as paleoart. The following work addresses paleoartistic reconstruction of some key representatives in the evolutive story of cetaceans: Pakicetus attocki, Protocetus atavus, Zygorhiza kochii, Basilosaurus isis and Mystacodon selenensis contrasted with old representations to reflect the changes that the growing scientific publications have brought with respect to their anatomy and other ecological aspects that help us to understand better these animals.