Physeterula

Wikipedia

Physeterula
Temporal range: Late Miocene[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Physeteridae
Subfamily: Physeterinae
Genus: Physeterula
Van Beneden, 1877
Type species
Physeterula dubusi
Other species[2]

P. neolassicus Veatch and Stephenson, 1911[3]

Physeterula was a prehistoric close relative of the sperm whale that lived in Europe and the United States [2] during the Late Miocene.[1]

This large species is the most stemward physeterid, retaining functional upper teeth lacking enamel.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lambert, Olivier (January 2008). "Sperm whales from the Miocene of the North Sea: A re-appraisal". Bulletin de l'Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Sciences de la Terre. 78: 277–316.
  2. 1 2 Physeterula in the Paleobiology Database
  3. Physeterula neolassicus in the Paleobiology Database