In the Miocene the evolution of the two-toed artiodactyl foot was well-nigh completed.
2
One leading to the existing perissodactyl foot, and the other, apparently later, resulting in the artiodactyl type.
3
As it turned out, whales were not only more closely-related to artiodactyls than to the mesonychids.
4
They actually are artiodactyls.
5
Biomolecular and genetic studies repeatedly found that whales were most closely related to the group of hoofed mammals called artiodactyls, particularly hippos.