Aulophyseter is an extinct genus of sperm whales from the subfamily Physeterinae that existed during the Miocene.
History of discovery Fossils of Aulophyseter have been found in:Aulophyseter at Fossilworks.org Oidawara Formation, Japan United States Temblor Formation, California St. Marys Formation, Maryland
Description
Aulophyseter is estimated to have been long, and weighed approximately .van Dongen PAM. 1998 Brain size in vertebrates. In The central nervous system of vertebrates (eds Nieuwenhuys R, ten Donkelaar HJ, Nicholson C), pp. 2099–2134. Berlin, Germany: Springer.
Paleobiology Aulophyseter'''s small teeth lack enamel, which suggests that its feeding habits were more similar to those of modern sperm whales than to other early sperm whales. The diet of Aulophyseter'' was largely limited to cephalopods and fish.Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals by William F. Perrin, Bernd Wursig, and J. G.M. Thewissen*
See also
Evolution of cetaceans
References
Colbert's Evolution of the Vertebrates: A History of the Backboned Animals Through Time by Edwin H. Colbert, Michael Morales, and Eli C. Minkoff Pg.396. Sperm Whales: Social Evolution in the Ocean by Hal Whitehead Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals by William F. Perrin, Bernd Wursig, and J. G.M. Thewissen Aulophyseter morricei
External links Age of Mammals - Specimen Spotlight - Aulophyseter morricei