Aulophyseter

Aulophyseter is an extinct genus of sperm whales from the subfamily Physeterinae that existed during the Miocene.

Aulophyseter Temporal range: Mid-Late Miocene 16–15 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Skeleton of A. morricei at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Infraorder:	Cetacea
Family:	Physeteridae
Subfamily:	Physeterinae
Genus:	Aulophyseter Kellogg, 1927[1]
Species
A. morricei Kellogg, 1927 (type species) A. mediatlanticus Cope, 1895

History of discovery

Fossils of Aulophyseter have been found in:^[2]

• Oidawara Formation, Japan
• United States
  • Temblor Formation, California
  • St. Marys Formation, Maryland

Description

Life restoration

Aulophyseter reached a length of approximately 6.1 metres (20 ft) with an estimated body weight of 1,200 kilograms (2,600 lb).^[3] On the maxilla and mandible, Aulophyseter possessed small, sharp teeth that lack enamel.

Paleobiology

Aulophyseter's small teeth lack enamel, which suggests that its feeding habits were more similar to those of modern sperm whales than to other early sperm whales. The diet of Aulophyseter was largely limited to cephalopods and fish.^[4]

See also

• Cetaceans portal
• Paleontology portal
• Prehistoric mammals portal

• Evolution of cetaceans