In Depth
Orycterocetus was one of the many predatory whales that swam in the Miocene oceans with included Acrophyseter, Livyatan and Zygophyseter among others. Orycterocetus also has a connection with the whale Aulophyseter on the basis that some of the fossil material attributed to Aulophyseter bears similarities to fossil material from Orycterocetus. This has brought the suggestion that the Aulophyseter fossils in question may be synonymous with Orycterocetus.
Further Reading
– [Observations on extinct Cetacea]. – Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences 6:377-378. – J. Leidy – 1853. – Notice of remains of extinct vertebrated animals discovered by Professor E. Emmons. – Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 8:255-257. – J. Leidy – 1856. – An addition to the vertebrate fauna of the Miocene period, with a synopsis of the extinct Cetacea of the United States. – Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 19(4):138-157. – E. D. Cope – 1867.
