Australian scientists have uncovered an ancient whale species that swam the seas 26 million years ago. This fascinating creature, named Janjucetus dullardi, was described as “deceptively cute” yet a fierce predator. Researchers emphasize its shark-like features, including a mouth filled with sharp teeth and large eyes.
The discovery stemmed from a well-preserved skull fossil found along Victoria’s Surf Coast in 2019. In a recent study, scientists highlighted that this whale was about the size of a dolphin, showcasing the evolution of marine life. “Think of it as a small whale with slicing teeth,” said researcher Ruairidh Duncan.
Museums Victoria released a video featuring Duncan discussing the findings and the identification process. This fossil belongs to a group of prehistoric whales called mammalodontids, which are smaller relatives of today’s filter-feeding whales. Janjucetus dullardi is the fourth mammalodontid species discovered and the third identified in Victoria since previous finds in 1939 and 2006.
Paleontologist Erich Fitzgerald, a co-author of the study, explained that this fossil reveals insights into how ancient whales evolved and adapted to life in the sea. “This region was once a cradle for some of the most unusual whales in history,” he stated, emphasizing the ongoing discoveries that are rewriting how we understand whale evolution.
Interestingly, Victoria’s Surf Coast is part of the Jan Juc Formation, a geological area dating back to the Oligocene epoch, which has yielded many rare fossils. Fitzgerald believes that as more discoveries are made, our understanding of ancient marine life will continue to grow.
Janjucetus dullardi was named in honor of Ross Dullard, who found the skull while walking along the beach. Fitzgerald noted that if this whale were alive today, it would be as iconic to Australia as a kangaroo.
This discovery is part of a growing body of research shedding light on ancient marine species. For instance, recent findings from Peru suggest scientists may have unearthed the heaviest animal ever to exist. These discoveries not only paint a picture of past ecosystems but also help us understand the shifts in marine life over millions of years.
For more details on this incredible find, check out the study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. Museums Victoria and the ABC have additional resources on this exciting discovery.
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