Idiorophus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Idiorophus Temporal range: Early Miocene ~ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| I. patagonicus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Physeteridae |
| Genus: | †Idiorophus Kellogg, 1925 |
| Species | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Idiorophus is a genus of extinct toothed whales in the family Physeteridae. Fossils have been found in the Colhuehuapian Gaiman Formation of Argentina and the Libano Sandstone in Italy.[1]
Idirophus is thought to have been 5.42–6.61 meters (17.8–21.7 ft) long. Discovered in rocks dated to the early Miocene, it is thought to be one of the oldest sperm whales.[2] The teeth of Idiorophus were similar in size to those of the modern orca. This species is thought to be a highly predatory sperm whale. The teeth are covered in enamel and show wear from eating large prey.[3]
