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Pappocetus lugardi (Early whale)

SKU
M2106
Out of stock
$0.00
Overview

An Ultra Rare, Extra Large Pappocetus lugardi (Andrews, 1920) molar tooth from Morocco. Note - molar tooth design is one of the distinguishing features for indentifying this species.The molars demonstrate how massive Pappocetus teeth compared to the later primitive whales!  The root thickness doubles on one side and the crown gains depth as well. This material is a new find and represents one of the earliest transition forms of the whale. Pappocetus is a protocetid (see discussion below) and a large amphibious aquatic carnivore. Pappocetus is also an ancestor of the Basilosaurus. This material is complete and without repair. Crack fill only on some pieces. This is an opportunity to own an incredibly rare specimen from an early evolutionary stage of the modern whale. A fantastic collector's specimen. Authenticity guaranteed.

M2106          Size: 2-1/2"  (straight line)  (1-3/8" Width at base of crown)

Mid. Eocene (Bartonian) age  (40 MYA)

Gueran, (25 km SE of Boujdour), Boujdour Basin

West Sahara, Morocco

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Protocetids – Whale ancestor 

Pappocetus was a protocetid. The protocetids represent the one of earliest forms of whale development when they were transitioning from the land to the sea. The protocetids had large fore-limbs and hindlimbs that could support the body on land, and they were most likely amphibious – capable of living on land and in the sea. Certain characteristics show that the protocetids were adapting to an aquatic life including lack of fusion of the pelvic vertebrae (allowing tail movement) and nostrils that have moved halfway up their snout. Pappocetus is in the Georgiacetinae sub-family which makes it the direct ancestor to the Basilosaurus, a well know extinct primitive whale from the Eocene.

Regarding the Pappocetus, their robust tooth and root structure suggests that they were an aquatic carnivore capable of consuming significant prey.