Gigantism Precedes Filter Feeding in Baleen Whale Evolution

Current Biology : CB
R Ewan Fordyce, Felix G Marx

Abstract

Baleen whales (Mysticeti) are the largest animals on Earth, thanks to their ability to filter huge volumes of small prey from seawater. Mysticetes appeared during the Late Eocene, but evidence of their early evolution remains both sparse and controversial [1, 2], with several models competing to explain the origin of baleen-based bulk feeding [3-6]. Here, we describe a virtually complete skull of Llanocetus denticrenatus, the second-oldest (ca. 34 Ma) mysticete known. The new material represents the same individual as the type and only specimen, a fragmentary mandible. Phylogenetic analysis groups Llanocetus with the oldest mysticete, Mystacodon selenensis [2], into the basal family Llanocetidae. Llanocetus is gigantic (body length ∼8 m) compared to other early mysticetes [7-9]. The broad rostrum has sharp, widely spaced teeth with marked dental abrasion and attrition, suggesting biting and occlusal shearing. As in extant mysticetes, the palate bears many sulci, commonly interpreted as osteological correlates of baleen [3]. Unexpectedly, these sulci converge on the upper alveoli, suggesting a peri-dental blood supply to well-developed gums, rather than to inter-alveolar racks of baleen. We interpret Llanocetus as a raptorial or...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 10, 2019·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Rachel A Roston, V Louise Roth
May 2, 2019·Biology Letters·Giovanni BianucciAngelo Varola
Feb 1, 2020·Journal of Morphology·Alexander J WerthKeiichi Ueda
Sep 27, 2018·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Evan P KingsleyJulia A Clarke
Jan 25, 2019·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Catalina PimientoJeroen B Smaers

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