The recently described Janjucetus dullardi is known from finds of juveniles. This illustration shows a young J. dullardi with its mother.
Scientists have stumbled upon a “deceptively cute” ancient whale with big eyes and razor-sharp teeth that hunted its prey off the coast of Australia about 26 million years ago.
The new species, Janjucetus dullardi, is one of the earliest known ancestors of filter feeders, including the giant blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). However, J. dullardi was significantly smaller than its modern relatives, with a compact body adapted for rapid movement.
Researchers identified the new species from skull fragments found on Australia's southeast coast. The study, published Tuesday (August 12) in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, said the individual it belonged to was a juvenile or subadult about 2.1 metres (7ft) long.
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Sourse: www.livescience.com
