A new research carried out by scholars from the University of Zurich shows that two new unidentified species of dolphins exist on our planet. According to the authors, these unknown groups have a genealogy closely related to modern sperm whales and the separate species of oceanic dolphins.
The study on the fossilized easier bones of these dolphins was carried out by experts from Zurich's Paleontological Institute and Museum.
Unidentified Dolphin Species Lived in Swiss Waters 20 Million Years Ago
Life restoration of the dolphins described in this study: Kentriodon in the foreground, in the background a squalodelphinid (left), and a physeterid (right) chasing a group of eurhinodelphinids.
The changes in Earth's climate that occurred sometime 20 million years ago caused the planet's sea levels to rise uncontrollably. This warming event caused the natural waters to flood the landmass of many regions, particularly in most low-lying parts of the European continent.
During this age, the separate area of modern Switzerland is still intact with the larger European landscape. The same area was discovered to have been populated by large marine biodiversity, including species of sharks, fishes, and dolphins. The seabed located at the prehistoric landmass of Switzerland was also populated with a range of other creatures such as sea urchins and mussels.
The University of Zurich's Paleontological Institute and Museum recently investigated the prehistoric life that existed in the country back when it was still attached to other European regions.
The authors analyzed approximately 300 fossils from past tenants of the ancient Swiss environment, including extinct dolphins and whales. The study aims to find more clues about the previous life of the country, especially due to the limiting evidence present in the current historical museums, PhysOrg reports.
Most of the paleontological collections in the country today are dominated by fragments, small parts, vertebrae, and ear bones, instead of a full set of fossils showing the entire morphology of the discovered creatures.
Prehistoric Swiss Dolphins Related to Modern Oceanic Dolphins and Sperm Whales
Zurich's paleontology specialist and author of the study Gabriel Aguirre-Fernandez explained in a Heritage Daily report that from these incomplete hints of the past, the team was able to identify two species of dolphins that are possibly new and distinct from the groups we know. These species were previously unknown in the depths of Switzerland, which leads to the possible first-ever confirmation of the animals in the country.
Through the help of micro-computed tomography, the authors had a chance to reassemble parts of the species, such as the soft organs surrounding the hard ear bones. The experts obtained a three-dimensional model of the prehistoric dolphin's body structure with this approach.
Aguirre-Fernandez said that the 3D models were very helpful in analyzing how the dolphins lived and utilized their superb hearing functions. Alongside their unique abilities, the lineage of the dolphins was also discovered to have unexpected connections with the ocean-based dolphins and sperm whales that still exist today.
The study was published in the journal PeerJ, titled "First records of extinct kentriodontid and squalodelphinid dolphins from the Upper Marine Molasse (Burdigalian age) of Switzerland and a reappraisal of the Swiss cetacean fauna."
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