Aulophyseter
Name:
Aulophyseter
Phonetic: Or-lo-fie-set-er.
Named By: R. Kellogg - 1927.
Classification: Chordata, Mammalia, Cetacea,
Odontoceti, Physeteridae.
Species: A. morricei (type),
A.
mediatlanticus, A. rionegrensis.
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Uncertain.
Known locations: USA, California - Sharktooth
Hill, Maryland - Saint Mary;'s Formation. Argentina, R�o
Negro.
Time period: Miocene.
Fossil representation: Several specimens.
Aulophyseter
was a predatory whale
similar to a modern day sperm whale, although
it probably had a more diverse diet. Aulophyseter
was related to
other predatory whales such as Acrophyseter
and the large Livyatan.
Some Aulophyseter however bear a resemblance to
another whale called
Orycterocetus
raising the possibility that these fossils could be
synonymous.
Because
Aulophyseter is known from both the west and east
coast of the United
States, it’s possible that Aulophyseter may
have migrated through
the Central American Seaway. Back in the Miocene higher sea levels
meant that what is now Panama was completely submerged. Fossil
evidence suggests that many cetaceans passed through the area as well
as some of their main predators such as the giant prehistoric shark C.
megalodon. However as sea levels dropped the
Isthmus of Panama was
created, which resulted in this migratory route between North and
South America being sealed. The closure of the Central American
Seaway is seen as the death knell for many species of prehistoric
whales as well as the predators that preyed upon them.
Further reading
- Study of the skull of a
fossil sperm-whale from the Temblor Miocene of Southern California. -
Contributions to Palaeontology from the Carnegie Institution of
Washington: 3–24. - R. Kellogg - 1927.
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