Brygmophyseter

Taxobox
name = "Brygmophyseter"
fossil_range = Miocene


image_width = 320px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Cetacea
subordo = Odontoceti
familia = Physeteridae
genus = "Brygmophyseter"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = †"B. shigensis"

"Brygmophyseter shigensis" (also known as "Scadicetus shigensis" in Japan) is an extinct genus of sperm whale which lived during the Miocene period, approximately 15 million years ago.Citation|title=Shigamakkoukujira (Scadicetus shigensis)|url=http://translate.google.com.pk/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.chiba-muse.or.jp/NATURAL/exhibitions/special_ex/2007kaseki/hyouhon.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=7&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DBrygmophyseter%26start%3D30%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN]

Known physiology

The remains of this ancient sperm whale were excavated in Japan by two paleontologists, Hirota and Barnes in 1992, including a 140 cm long skull. Unlike the modern sperm whale ("Physeter catodon") which has teeth on its lower jaw only, "Brygmophyseter" had teeth on its both upper and lower jaw. For this reason, this ancient whale is often termed as the "Biting Sperm Whale."

Size estimation

The specimen of this ancient whale excavated from Japan is about 7 meters (23 feet) long. [Citation|title=Brygmophyseter Shignesis in Shiga Fossil Museum, Japan|url= http://translate.google.com.pk/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/buka/soumubu/siga/siga/kasekikan/index.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=4&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DBrygmophyseter%26start%3D30%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN] However, paleontologists estimate that "Brygmophyseter" could grow up to 12 meters (40 feet) long.fact|date=September 2008

In popular culture

Brygmophyseter is featured in an episode of Jurassic Fight Club as an adversary of an another apex predator of its time, "Megalodon".

Related species

* "Aulophyseter"
* "Orycterocetus"
* "Zygophyseter"

See also

* Evolution of Cetaceans

References

External Links

* [http://www.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/buka/soumubu/siga/siga/kasekikan/images/IMG_1579.jpgBrygmophyseter Skeleton on display in a Japanese Museum]
* [http://www.history.com/genericContent.do?id=59506 Brygmophyseter - Ancient Whale: History.com]
* [http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2008/08/killer_sperm_whales.php#more Killer sperm whales]