ABSTRACT
The cetaceans, which consist of the toothed and baleen whales, are undoubtedly the most derived of the marine mammals when it comes to the auditory system. Having an evolutionary history traced through ungulate ancestors, the Cetacea demonstrate adaptations to the auditory system and vestibular systems that are unique relative to other mammalian species. However, within the Cetacea there are dramatic differences between the suborders Odontoceti (toothed whales) and Mysticeti (baleen whales), with the former being the more derived of the two suborders.
