Post by Canid Cetus Aves on Oct 15, 2011 11:37:09 GMT -5
Brygmophyseter
Brygmophyseter is an extinct genus of toothed whale in the sperm whale family with one species Brygmophyseter shigensis. When first described, this species was placed in an extinct form genus Scaldicetus of toothed whale, as Scaldicetus shigensis). In 2006, it was transferred to a new genus Naganocetus as ''Naganocetus shigensis'', however later in 2006, it was then moved to Brygmophyseter leaving Naganocetus as a nomen nudum name.
Etymology
The genus name is a combination of the Greek word brygmos, which means "biting" or "gnashing", combined with suffix Physeter, which is the generic name of the living sperm whale, and which is also the Greek word for "blower". This has led to the occasional vernacular term "biting sperm whale" being given to the species in popular culture.
Holotype Specimen
The holotype specimen (SFM-0001) was excavated from Bessho Formation in Nagano Prefecture in Japan in 1988 by the residents of Shiga-mura with assistance from staff of Shiga Fossil Museum. The specimen is nearly complete, and includes a 140 cm long skull. This specimen came from 15-14 million years old sediments. Unlike the extant giant sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, which has teeth in its lower jaw only; Brygmophyseter has 12 functional teeth on each side of the lower jaws and 12 functional teeth on each side of the upper jaws. The holotype specimen is currently on display in Gunman Museum of Natural History in Japan.
Brygmophyseter Jaws compared to Orca Jaws
Size
The holotype specimen is around 7 metres (23 ft) long. However, in popular culture, Brygmophyseter have been depicted significantly larger in size — up to 12 metres (39 ft) long.
Behavior and Predatory Capabilities
Brygmophyseter was likely among the apex predators of its time. It packed a formidable jaws armed with teeth up to 14 cm (5.5 inches) long. It may have employed sonar to track and disorient a prey item in deep waters, like the modern age Sperm Whales. It may also have used its large head to ram a potential opponent during conflict. Brygmophyseter would also have lived in social groups called pods, and probably hunted in packs, like modern age Orcas.
Dietary Preferences
Brygmophyseter is assumed to have preyed upon a variety of animals including fish, pinnipeds, giant squid, and other cetaceans.
It shall be noted that remains of undetermined mysticeti whales have been found in the same region where the holotype specimen was found, however a predator-prey relationship between Brygmophyseter and these whales have not been inferred in the scientific literature.
Source(s): Wikipedia
Brygmophyseter is an extinct genus of toothed whale in the sperm whale family with one species Brygmophyseter shigensis. When first described, this species was placed in an extinct form genus Scaldicetus of toothed whale, as Scaldicetus shigensis). In 2006, it was transferred to a new genus Naganocetus as ''Naganocetus shigensis'', however later in 2006, it was then moved to Brygmophyseter leaving Naganocetus as a nomen nudum name.
Etymology
The genus name is a combination of the Greek word brygmos, which means "biting" or "gnashing", combined with suffix Physeter, which is the generic name of the living sperm whale, and which is also the Greek word for "blower". This has led to the occasional vernacular term "biting sperm whale" being given to the species in popular culture.
Holotype Specimen
The holotype specimen (SFM-0001) was excavated from Bessho Formation in Nagano Prefecture in Japan in 1988 by the residents of Shiga-mura with assistance from staff of Shiga Fossil Museum. The specimen is nearly complete, and includes a 140 cm long skull. This specimen came from 15-14 million years old sediments. Unlike the extant giant sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, which has teeth in its lower jaw only; Brygmophyseter has 12 functional teeth on each side of the lower jaws and 12 functional teeth on each side of the upper jaws. The holotype specimen is currently on display in Gunman Museum of Natural History in Japan.
Brygmophyseter Jaws compared to Orca Jaws
Size
The holotype specimen is around 7 metres (23 ft) long. However, in popular culture, Brygmophyseter have been depicted significantly larger in size — up to 12 metres (39 ft) long.
Behavior and Predatory Capabilities
Brygmophyseter was likely among the apex predators of its time. It packed a formidable jaws armed with teeth up to 14 cm (5.5 inches) long. It may have employed sonar to track and disorient a prey item in deep waters, like the modern age Sperm Whales. It may also have used its large head to ram a potential opponent during conflict. Brygmophyseter would also have lived in social groups called pods, and probably hunted in packs, like modern age Orcas.
Dietary Preferences
Brygmophyseter is assumed to have preyed upon a variety of animals including fish, pinnipeds, giant squid, and other cetaceans.
It shall be noted that remains of undetermined mysticeti whales have been found in the same region where the holotype specimen was found, however a predator-prey relationship between Brygmophyseter and these whales have not been inferred in the scientific literature.
Source(s): Wikipedia
