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A new Miocene baleen whale from the Peruvian desert
1Department of Geology and Palaeontology, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba, Japan; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Geosciences, Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia; Directorate of Earth and History of Life, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium.
Royal Society Open Science
|November 18, 2016
Summary
A new fossil whale, Incakujira anillodefuego, from Peru
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Marine Biology
- Vertebrate Zoology
Background:
- The Pisco-Ica and Sacaco basins in southern Peru are rich fossil sites for cetaceans.
- Baleen whale fossils are scarce, with only three described taxa previously known from this region.
- Previous research predominantly focused on toothed whales (odontocetes).
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a new species and genus of baleen whale from the Late Miocene of Peru.
- To analyze the unique anatomical features of the new fossil whale.
- To understand the implications for the evolution of baleen whale feeding strategies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic description of two exceptionally preserved fossil specimens.
- Comparative anatomical analysis with modern and fossil balaenopterids (rorquals).
- Reconstruction of cranial and mandibular joint biomechanics.
Main Results:
- Description of *Incakujira anillodefuego* gen. et sp. nov., a new Late Miocene rorqual.
- Identification of unique features: gracile ascending process of the maxilla and a twisted postglenoid process of the squamosal.
- The unique jaw joint likely restricted mandibular rotation, differing from modern rorquals.
Conclusions:
- *Incakujira* expands the limited Miocene fossil record of rorquals.
- The distinct cranial morphology suggests a potentially different feeding mechanism compared to extant rorquals.
- This discovery highlights the complex evolutionary pathways of baleen whale lunge-feeding.
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