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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: "Killer" Fossil Find May Rewrite Story of Whale Evolution


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In an artist's conception the ancient baleen whale Janjucetus hunderi attacks its next meal. Fossils of the new, flesh-eating species were recently found in Australia (inset).

The discovery may rewrite the evolutionary history of baleen whales; all modern members of the group, which includes the enormous blue whales, are toothless giants that filter seawater for tiny krill and other creatures.

Image courtesy Brian Choo, Museum Victoria; inset photograph courtesy R. Start, Museum Victoria