Post by Canid Cetus Aves on Oct 13, 2011 15:30:43 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.
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. 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.[1] The holotype specimen is currently on display in Gunman Museum of Natural History in Japan. 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.
Megalodon
Paleontological research indicates that C. megalodon is among the largest and most powerful macro-predatory fishes in vertebrate history. C. megalodon is principally known from partially preserved skeletal remains, which indicate a shark of gigantic proportions — approaching a length of around 20.3 metres (67 ft). C. megalodon is widely regarded as the largest shark to have ever lived. After scrutiny of its remains, scientists have assigned C. megalodon to the order Lamniformes but its phylogeny is disputed. Scientists suggest that C. megalodon looked like a stockier version of the great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, in life. Fossil evidence confirms that C. megalodon had a cosmopolitan distribution. C. megalodon was a super-predator, and bite marks on fossil bones of its victims indicate that it preyed upon large marine animals.
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.
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. 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.[1] The holotype specimen is currently on display in Gunman Museum of Natural History in Japan. 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.
Megalodon
Paleontological research indicates that C. megalodon is among the largest and most powerful macro-predatory fishes in vertebrate history. C. megalodon is principally known from partially preserved skeletal remains, which indicate a shark of gigantic proportions — approaching a length of around 20.3 metres (67 ft). C. megalodon is widely regarded as the largest shark to have ever lived. After scrutiny of its remains, scientists have assigned C. megalodon to the order Lamniformes but its phylogeny is disputed. Scientists suggest that C. megalodon looked like a stockier version of the great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, in life. Fossil evidence confirms that C. megalodon had a cosmopolitan distribution. C. megalodon was a super-predator, and bite marks on fossil bones of its victims indicate that it preyed upon large marine animals.
