Latest news with #RossDullard
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
26-million-year-old whale skull fossil found, sheds light on ancient marine life
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from Monash University and Museums Victoria have unearthed a 26-million-year-old whale skull at Jan Juc Beach in Victoria, Australia. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The fossil belongs to a newly identified species, Janjucetus dullardi , a small but fierce predator from the Oligocene epoch. According to the research published on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 in the , the whale specimen (Janjucetus dullardi) represents a juvenile or subadult individual, estimated to be about 7 feet (2.1 meters) in length. Unlike modern baleen whales that filter-feed, Janjucetus had sharp teeth and large eyes, indicating it actively hunted prey like fish and squid. The fossil is exceptionally well-preserved, including the skull, ear bones, and teeth, rare features that offer vital insights into whale evolution . This species represents a key stage between land-dwelling ancestors and fully aquatic whales, helping scientists understand how early whales adapted to life in the ocean. The discovery not only sheds light on the evolutionary shift from toothed predators to filter feeders, but also provides a rare glimpse into ancient marine ecosystems. It highlights southern Australia's importance in understanding the rich history of life in prehistoric oceans. How the whale skull fossil was discovered Scientists have revealed a 26-million-year-old whale skull fossil found in 2019 by fossil enthusiast Ross Dullard at Jan Juc Beach, Victoria, Australia. The fossil, embedded in ancient marine sediments, belongs to a newly identified species named Janjucetus dullardi, a small but fierce predator from the Oligocene epoch. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Unlike modern baleen whales that filter-feed, Janjucetus had sharp teeth and large eyes, indicating it actively hunted prey such as fish and squid. Measuring just 2–3 meters in length, it was much smaller than today's whales but well-adapted for predation in the warm, subtropical seas of its time. The fossil's exceptional preservation, including parts of the skull, teeth, and ear bones, offers paleontologists an unprecedented look into early whale anatomy. Detailed examination of its jaw structure, sensory organs, and hearing system provides valuable insight into the evolutionary transition from land-dwelling mammals to fully aquatic whales. This discovery significantly advances our understanding of whale evolution and ancient marine ecosystems. What the whale skull fossil reveals about anatomy In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have unveiled a 26-million-year-old whale skull fossil, found in 2019 by fossil enthusiast Ross Dullard at Jan Juc Beach in Victoria, Australia. The fossil belongs to a newly identified species, Janjucetus dullardi, a small but powerful predator from the Oligocene epoch. Unlike modern baleen whales, Janjucetus had large forward-facing eyes, indicating sharp vision for hunting, and a jaw lined with sharp teeth suited for catching fish and other marine animals. Measuring 2–3 meters in length, it was much smaller than today's whales but well-adapted for life as an agile marine hunter. Exceptionally preserved, the fossil includes parts of the skull, teeth, and ear bones. These features reveal early hearing adaptations, helping researchers understand how ancient whales detected prey underwater. By studying this skull, scientists gain rare insight into the evolutionary shift from active predation to filter feeding, and into the behavior, anatomy, and ecology of early whales in prehistoric oceans. Why this whale skull fossil matters for evolution The whale skull fossil of Janjucetus dullardi is key to understanding early whale evolution. As part of the mammalodontid lineage, this species illustrates the diversity of feeding strategies in ancient oceans. The fossil shows how whales adapted from land mammals to aquatic predators with specialized hunting features. Examining the whale skull helps researchers trace evolutionary steps toward modern whales, highlighting the shift from active predation to filter feeding. Fossils like this illuminate the ecological pressures that shaped marine life millions of years ago. The broader importance of fossil whale skulls Discoveries like this fossil whale skull highlight the value of fossils in studying life's history. Whale skulls are rarely preserved due to oceanic erosion, making this find exceptionally significant. Fossils allow scientists to analyze skull morphology, sensory adaptations, and feeding strategies in detail. By studying ancient whale fossils, researchers can better understand how whales responded to environmental changes over millions of years and trace the evolutionary lineage of today's marine giants. The 26-million-year-old whale skull fossil of Janjucetus dullardi is a milestone in paleontology. Its well-preserved skull, teeth, and ear bones provide a window into the life of ancient predatory whales and their adaptations. Studying this fossil enhances our understanding of early whales, their hunting behaviors, and their ecological roles. Ongoing research into fossils like this continues to illuminate the complex history of marine life and the evolutionary path that led to the majestic whales we see in our oceans today. Also read|
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
New species of Prehistoric whale discovered off Australia
Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Prehistoric fossils have led to the discovery of an ancient whale species off the coast of Australia. Scientists said the species, Janjucetus dullardi, is one of the earliest cousins of modern whales but was not an ocean giant, researchers from Museums Victoria Research Institute said. The whale has been described as a fast, sharp-toothed predator about the size of a dolphin with a short snout, large forward-facing eyes and slicing teeth, according to a study. "It's essentially a little whale with big eyes and a mouth full of sharp, slicing teeth. Imagine the shark-like version of a baleen whale, small and deceptively cute, but definitely not harmless," said Ruairidh Duncan, lead author of the study. The ancient whale was named after a Victoria resident Ross Dullard found the fossil, a partial skull with ear bones and teeth, found in 2019 as he walked along the beach. "This kind of public discovery and its reporting to the museum is vital," said Erich Fitzgerald, senior curator of vertebrate palaeontology at Museums Victoria Research Institute and senior author of the study. "Ross' discovery has unlocked an entire chapter of whale evolution we've never seen before. It's a reminder that world-changing fossils can be found in your own backyard." The fossil fragments found belonged to a juvenile specimen that belonged to a group of whales known as mammalodontis, which lived 30 to 23 million years ago. These fragments mark the third known species from Victoria, and the fourth found worldwide. It was also the first of its kind to preserve both the teeth and inner ear structures. "The findings demonstrate the power of our collections to unlock stories that change the way we understand life on Earth. Thanks to the generosity of the public and the expertise of our scientists," CEO and Director of Museums Victoria said. "Museums Victoria Research Institute is making globally significant contributions to evolutionary research. Discoveries like Janjucetus dullardi remind us that our collections are not just about the past they're shaping the future of science."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
New species of whale discovered on Australia's coast
An 26-million-year-old whale species has been identified from a fossil found on Australia's southeastern sharp teeth and bulging eyes, and at just two metres long, it would've been very different to the huge mammals we know today. The species belongs to a group known as mammalodontids, early whales that lived around 30 to 23 million years fossil, part of a skull with teeth and ear bones, was discovered in 2019 along the state of Victoria's resident, Ross Dullard, then donated it to Museums Victoria and the fossil Janjucetus dullardi was named in his honour. The research is published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. The Janjucetus dullardi was, according to Ruairidh Duncan, PhD student at the Museums Victoria Research Institute and Monash University and one the authors of the research, "deceptively cute"."It might have looked for all the world like some weird kind of mash-up between a whale, a seal and a Pokémon but they were very much their own thing," says Dr Erich Fitzgerald, senior curator of vertebrate palaeontology at Museums Victoria Research study says the fossilised skull belonged to a young sea mammal just over two metres the whales we know today it would fit easily on a single bed!Experts say that the coastal waters of Australia, between 27 and 23 million years ago, were home to many types of is the third known mammalodontid species from that region in Australia, and only the fourth found worldwide. The whales we know today don't usually have teeth, but plates called baleen, which filter plankton like a in contrast, were smaller and had a jaw of sharp teeth. Despite their differences experts say these early whales are still descendants of sea mammals like the blue and humpback whales. Because the fossil has its teeth and inner ear structures preserved in such detail, it provides key information as to how early whales fed, heard and moved in the authors of the research say the fossil shows how ancient whales changed and could give clues as to how today's marine life might respond to climate change. 'This region was once a cradle for some of the most unusual whales in history, and we're only just beginning to uncover their stories,' said Fitzgerald.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Science
- Daily Record
‘Deceptively cute' prehistoric whale species with 'slicing teeth' discovered in Australia
The ancient 'baby whale' was the size of a dolphin with eyes the size of tennis balls and lived around 30million years ago. Scientists in Australia have discovered a new species of ancient whale that they are deeming "deceptively cute" due to its huge tennis ball-sized eyes and razor-sharp teeth. The Janjucetus dullardi is nothing like the sea giants we know today, but is one of their earliest-known cousins, living around 30 million years ago. The discovery was made by scientists at Museums Victoria's Research Institute, who examined an ancient 26-million-year-old fossil found on Wadawurrung Country, along Victoria's Surf Coast. The small and ancient creature gives new insight on the early evolution of the baleen whales found in our oceans today. Janjucetus dullardi was a fast, sharp-toothed predator about the size of a dolphin, leading researchers to describe it as a 'baby whale'. With a short snout, large forward-facing eyes and slicing teeth, the prehistoric creature would have been fearsome in the warm, shallow seas of ancient Victoria. Ruairidh Duncan, PhD student at the Museums Victoria Research Institute and Monash University, and lead author of the study said: "It's essentially a little whale with big eyes and a mouth full of sharp, slicing teeth. "Imagine the shark-like version of a baleen whale – small and deceptively cute, but definitely not harmless." The fossil examined by the Australian researchers was a partial skull with ear bones and teeth, and was discovered in June 2019 by local resident Ross Dullard as he walked along the beach. Recognising its scientific potential, Dullard donated it to Museums Victoria, who have named the new species after him. "This kind of public discovery and its reporting to the museum is vital," said Dr Erich Fitzgerald, senior curator of vertebrate palaeontology at Museums Victoria Research Institute and senior author of the study. The scientist added: "Ross' discovery has unlocked an entire chapter of whale evolution we've never seen before. It's a reminder that world-changing fossils can be found in your own backyard." The research has been published in the prestigious Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, and it identifies Janjucetus dullardi as a juvenile whale measuring just over two metres long. Despite its small size, it belonged to a group known as mammalodontids, early whales that lived only during the Oligocene Epoch- around 30 to 23 million years ago. According to Fitzgerald, this region of Australia was once a cradle for some of the most unusual whales in history, and their stories are only just beginning to be discovered. And due to the whale's hot prehistoric habitat, scientists may also be able to analyse how ancient whales adapted to warmer oceans millions of years ago. By examining how sea creatures evolved to previously warming oceans, scientists may also discover valuable clues about how today's marine life might respond to climate change, as modern day sea levels rise and waters continue to grow hotter. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
India Today
2 days ago
- Science
- India Today
Skull found on Australian coast turns out to be 26-million-year-old ancient whale
A new species of ancient whale, Janjucetus dullardi, has been identified by scientists at Museums Victoria's Research Institute, following remarkable fossil findings along Victoria's Surf in June 2019 by local resident Ross Dullard on Wadawurrung Country near Jan Juc, the 26-million-year-old partial skull offers extraordinary insight into the origins of modern baleen the gentle giants that cruise today's oceans, Janjucetus dullardi was a compact, sharp-toothed predator, more reminiscent of a dolphin than a Measuring just over two metres in length, this juvenile 'baby whale' sported a short snout, large forward-facing eyes, and a formidable set of slicing teeth, hinting at its role as a nimble hunter in the warm, shallow seas of ancient fossil's scientific significance was quickly recognised, leading Dullard to donate it to Museums Victoria for detailed study. 'Ross' discovery has unlocked an entire chapter of whale evolution we've never seen before,' said Dr Erich Fitzgerald, senior curator of vertebrate palaeontology and lead species was named in honour of Dullard's contribution, underscoring the critical role of public engagement in scientific in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, the research places Janjucetus dullardi within the mammalodontid family, early whales that thrived only during the Oligocene Epoch, roughly 30–23 million years ago. This marks only the third mammalodontid species found in Victoria and the fourth worldwide, with this specimen uniquely preserving both ear bones and microCT scans revealed intricate inner ear structures, including the cochlea, providing clues to how these whales sensed and hunted underwater.'This fossil opens a window into how ancient whales grew and evolved, showing us a 'shark-like' version of baleen whales—small and deceptively cute, but certainly not harmless,' said Ruairidh Duncan, PhD student and study discovery not only illuminates southeast Australia's importance as a hotspot for early whale evolution but also offers hints about how marine life might adapt to today's changing new discoveries await along Victoria's coastline, Museums Victoria continues to explore both recently uncovered and long-neglected specimens, ensuring the story of whale evolution is far from complete.'Our collections are not just about the past, they're shaping the future of science,' said Museums Victoria CEO Lynley Crosswell, celebrating a milestone that continues to rewrite natural history.- EndsMust Watch
