The Narwhal’s Impressive Tooth - What is its Purpose?

Some scientists think it could be a sensory organ.

The narwhal is an arctic whale famous for its needlelike spiral tusk extending from its head. For a long time scientists have been debating the purpose for the structure. This week researchers have produced a new theory as to how the narwhal uses the tusk, although not all scientists agree with it.

The new theory proposes that the horn, which is actually a tooth, is also a sensory organ. Usually found only in males, it can pick up differences in the whale’s environment, like the content of seawater. Thus, the tusk can help the animals to move around in their frigid environment and maybe even find food.

Not all marine mammal experts agree with the new idea. Many think the pointy tooth is merely a lure to attract mates, like the beautiful feathers of the peacock. "There's just zero evidence" for the possibility that a male narwhal's tusk plays a large role in whether the animal can sense things like changes in salinity or where to find food, according to Kristin Laidre, a marine mammal biologist at the U. of Washington in Seattle. Laidre wonders why only male narwhals have the long tusks if these structures are such valuable sensory organs.

But Martin Nweela of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the lead author of the new study thinks the tusk could have dual functions, both as a sensory organ and a lure. A practicing dentist, Nweela notes the narwhal’s tusk has channels scattered throughout its external layer which allow seawater to enter the tooth. The dentin underneath this layer also contains small tubes which connect to the pulp or innermost part of the tusk. The pulp is loaded with blood vessels and nerves which run directly to the brain. Thus, this design feature suggests to him that the tusk is a sensory organ.

Admittedly, narwhals are elusive and hard to study. So we may never get a definitive answer as to the purpose for this animal’s impressive tusk. Yet, we know it does have a purpose, for the Creator would not have created a useless structure in this or any other animal. 

This debate over the narwhal’s tooth is reminiscent of the debates over many of our own human organs. In the past, secular scientists have claimed many of our organs have no purpose, none whatsoever, and were merely leftovers from our alleged evolutionary past. These “useless” organs were referred to as “vestigial organs.” However, research over the years has shown these organs either have valuable purposes, or, at the very least, are evidence more of “devolution” than of “evolution.” Below are some examples of “vestigial organs.”

Appendix - now known to be a storehouse for good bacteria, important especially in childhood and as an aid to digestion.

Coccyx or tailbone - an anchor point for several muscle groups, and its removal can cause difficulty in sitting and standing, in giving birth and incontinence.

Body hair - can serve as insulation (hair on the head), protection from sunburn, and as sensory organs.

Wisdom teeth - tend to cause problems only in countries with a diet consisting mainly of soft foods. This  suggests early humans ate foods requiring more chewing and a greater need for wisdom teeth, and also suggests the early humans thus had better jaw development. As such, our less developed and smaller jaws generally do not have room for wisdom teeth and consequently would be an example of devolution, not evolution.

God does not create worthless material or junk, as we now know even from recent studies concerning so-called junk DNA. Still, we humans often take it upon ourselves to ruin what He has created, such as by poor eating habits or by being careless about the environment. 

Most important, we often are careless about the souls God has given us, by allowing sin to dwell therein. The only way to remove this sin and make us eligible to again enjoy a holy existence as did our original parents is to receive the forgiveness which Jesus earned for us on the cross. When we come to faith in Jesus as our Savior from sin, God will see our souls as being clean and worthy of heaven. Our soul is not a physical structure like the appendix or a tooth, but it is much more important to us.

Jesus once said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

References: Jane J. Lee, “Narwhal's Trademark Tusk Acts Like a Sensor, Scientist Says,” National Geographic.

Lita Cosner, “Badly designed arguments—‘vestigial organs’ revisited,” Creation Ministries International.

(Photo of narwhals from Wikipedia, by Glenn Williams.)

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

Can dogs and cats suffer from fevers?

Yes, these pets can come down with fevers caused by bacteria, viruses, fungal organisms and some tick-borne diseases. A loss of appetite and sluggishness can be signs of a fever (don’t rely on the nose test), but a thermometer is the best way to tell if the pet has a higher than a normal temperature, which should be in the 100 to 102 degree range. To check the temperature, insert a lubricated thermometer into the rectum. Don’t give the dog or cat aspirin or Tylenol, but call a vet.

Source: Dr. Nancy Key, “Too Darn Hot,” Spry (March, 2014)

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