New Sperm Whale Species Identified from Fossils in Eastern Japan
Maebashi, Gunma Pref., Oct. 19 (Jiji Press)--Fossils unearthed in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, dating back about 15.5 million years, have been identified as a new species of sperm whale, offering clues to the evolution of the deep-diving marine mammals. The species, named Miophyseter gunmaensis, combines traits of ancient and modern sperm whales. It is the third new sperm whale species ...