The fossilised remains of a new species of extinct dolphin
went on display this month at Otago Museum in Dunedin. The dolphin, believed to
be more than 5 metres long and 23 million years old, had a distinct feature
protruding from its jaw—a tusk-like tooth about 25 centimetres long. The
tooth, skull, ribs and spine of the dolphin were found last year in the
Hakataramea Valley in South Canterbury. According to Ewan Fordyce from
the University of Otago, the large tooth was probably used for fighting or for
display purposes during mating. The dolphin, he says, is a new species in the
extinct family Squalodelphidae.
More from Â鶹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles
1
We've found a mysterious substance on Titan and Pluto
2
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
3
Remarkable fossils rewrite the story of how animals conquered the land
4
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
5
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
6
Almost the whole of Japan moved eastward after 2011 earthquake
7
Faecal transplant makes the brains of old mice act young again
8
The social media ban is an experiment – here’s how it will be studied
9
What if the idea of the autism spectrum is completely wrong?
10
Can prebiotics, probiotics or postbiotics help your ageing microbiome?
