Raptorial sperm whales

The Age. Electronica 10 , 11—22 Though it has not been given a species designation, the tooth looks similar to those of Livyatan , indicating it was a close relative. Two fossil physeteroid whales from California. The modern giant sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus, one of the largest known predators, preys upon cephalopods at great depths. In life, Acrophyseter species were between four and five meters 13 to 16 feet in length, roughly the same size as modern belugas, but with larger more orca-like heads.

Relationships between Livyatan and other sperm whales, raptorial sperm whales in bold [1] [7] [11]. Livyatan was part of a fossil stem group of hyper-predatory sperm whales commonly known as macroraptorial sperm whales , or raptorial sperm whales, alongside the extinct whales Brygmophyseter , Acrophyseter , and Zygophyseter. It was a member of a group of hyper-predatory macroraptorial sperm whales or "raptorial sperm whales" and was likely an apex predator , preying on whales, seals, and so forth. The whale may have interacted with the large extinct shark megalodon Carcharocles megalodon , competing with it for a similar food source. Marine Mammal Science. All seal remains found represent the earless seals. Since the teeth of fetal modern sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus have enamel on them before being coated with cementum , it is thought that the enamel is also an ancient characteristic basal.

All tooth sockets were cylindrical and single-rooted. BBC News. A slanting crest on the temporal fossa directed towards the back of the skull separated the snout from the rest of the skull, and was defined by a groove starting at the antorbital processes on the cheekbones. The wearing on the teeth indicates that the teeth sheared past each other while biting down, meaning it could bite off large portions of flesh from its prey.