Science A fossil of a whale with four legs, in 2011 excavated in Playa Media Luna, in the desert of Pisco Basin in Peru, is the oldest fossil of its kind ever on the continent was found. It proves that vierpotige whales South America reached more than 42,6 million years ago. The animals moved more or less continue as otters. The new discovery was recently published in the journal Current Biology, and illustrates a sleutelfase in the evolution and dispersal of early whales.
The occurrence of the fossil gives clues about the route taken by the animals was then followed to the new world. The fossil skeleton also illustrates the anatomical modifications that the whales had gone through.
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The vierpotige whale, which is the scientific name Peregocetus pacificus – that literally means: ’the travelling whale, the Pacific Ocean reached’ – it had a sturdy set of flippers, including webs on the feet, and a powerful zwiepstaart, just like the otters. The animal had a length that ranged between 3.4 and 4 metres.
whales evolved over 50 million years ago in southern Asia, from hoofed four-legged land mammals that were not greater than a wolf
“The legs of the animal were weight bearing, so Peregocetus was able to land around the crawl”, says paleontologist Olivier Lambert from the Royal Belgian Institute for natural Sciences (RBINS), which are the skeleton together with colleagues in Peru, Italy, and France revealed during excavation and described. “We see that because the pelvis is firmly attached to the sacrum is stuck. And the front and hind legs look very similar to that of the ancestors of Peregocetus from South-east Asia. You see even tracks of small hooves on the toes and fingers.”
Great swimmer
Peregocetus must be an excellent swimmer. “The anatomy of the first caudal vertebrae is similar to that of amphibious mammals, such as otters and beavers,” says Lambert. “With wavy vertical movements of the rear part of the body, including the solid tail, Peregocetus in the water, pushed forward, helped by his big feet and long toes that may have webs.”
whales evolved over 50 million years ago in southern Asia, from hoofed four-legged land mammals that were not greater than a wolf. Some species adapted themselves gradually to a life in the water, but could still have a country moving. Fossil finds indicate that the amphibious whales from the area of India and Pakistan to North Africa have spread.
The Peregocetus pacificus-fossil tells us more about what then happened. Due to the lack of good and complete fossils remained long a mystery. It is also the most complete skeleton of a four-legged whale outside of India and Pakistan.
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