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Physeterula
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| Physeterula Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Physeteridae |
| Subfamily: | Physeterinae |
| Genus: | †Physeterula Van Beneden, 1877 |
| Type species | |
| †Physeterula dubusi Van Beneden, 1877
| |
| Other species[3] | |
|
†P. neolassicus Veatch and Stephenson, 1911[2] | |
Physeterula was a prehistoric close relative of the sperm whale that lived in Europe and the United States[3] during the Late Miocene-Early Pleistocene.[4]
Description
[edit]This large species is the most stemward physeterid, retaining functional upper teeth lacking enamel.[1]
Body length estimates for adult Physeterula are approximately 6 meters (20 ft) long, based on skull dimensions exceeding 1.375 m in condylobasal length, isolated vertebrae, and comparative ratios from related physeteroids like Orycterocetus and Kogia, consistent with its position as a small to mid-sized basal physeterid. Based on the body proportions of modern sperm whales and the dimensions of the preserved skull, the body length of Physeterula is estimated at around 6.2 meters (20 ft). However, basing the proportions off those of related macroraptorial sperm whales yields body lengths of approximately 9–10 meters (30–33 ft).[5]
Paleobiology
[edit]The diet of Physeterula likely included soft-bodied prey, as inferred from tooth wear patterns showing anterior abrasion and slender, enamel-less teeth measuring 91.5-109 mm in length. Recent studies of tooth growth bands suggest rapid growth and a short lifespan, consistent with a predatory lifestyle targeting mobile prey. Physeterula's diet would have been limited to cephalopods and fish.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Lambert, Olivier (January 2008). "Sperm whales from the Miocene of the North Sea: A re-appraisal". Bulletin de l'Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Sciences de la Terre. 78: 277–316.
- ^ Physeterula neolassicus in the Paleobiology Database
- ^ a b Physeterula in the Paleobiology Database
- ^ "Mindat.org". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ^ https://biblio.naturalsciences.be/rbins-publications/bulletin-of-the-royal-belgian-institute-of-natural-sciences-earth-sciences/78-2008/irscnb_p4087_028643x_78_bulletin-17.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ https://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/312503.pdf [bare URL PDF]
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