Biology:Nihohae matakoi
Nihohae matakoi is an extinct species of prehistoric dolphin that was native to the waters surrounding New Zealand during the Oligocene. It was discovered in the Awamoko Valley on New Zealand's South Island in 1998.[1]
| Nihohae matakoi | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia
|
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | Mammalia
|
| Order: | |
| Infraorder: | |
| Parvorder: | Odontoceti
|
| Superfamily: | Platanistoidea
|
| Family: | |
| Genus: | Nihohae
|
| Species: | N. matakoi
|
Fossils
The fossils that were uncovered at the dig site include:
- A nearly complete skull, which was missing the right jugal and both lacrimals and pterygoids,
- Both periotics, bullaes, and stapes were present, and
- A total of 42 teeth were found, half of which were in place.
The postcranial material consists of a single fragmentary atlas, an axis, 8 vertebrae (4 thoracic, 2 cervical, and 2 caudal), and 7 ribs.[2]
The skull of the animal measured 56 cm (22.1 in) in length and measured 21.5 cm (8.5 in) in width.
Behavior
Feeding
It has been proposed that Nihohae used its specialized teeth to slash away at shoals of squid, skewering and maiming its prey before devouring it, somewhat like what sawfish do.[2]
Etymology
The creature's name comes from the Māori language with the genus Nihohae meaning "teeth slashing", which is a reference for the possible use of its teeth in hunting, and matakoi meaning "point sharp", which is a reference to its rostrum which ends in sharp incisors.
References
- ↑ "Ancient Dolphin Discovered With Teeth Spikes 'Unlike Any Seen Today'" (in en-US). https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-dolphin-discovered-teeth-spikes-unlike-any-seen-today-1805967.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Coste, Ambre; Fordyce, R. Ewan; Loch, Carolina (2023-06-14). "A new dolphin with tusk-like teeth from the late Oligocene of New Zealand indicates evolution of novel feeding strategies" (in en). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 290 (2000). doi:10.1098/rspb.2023.0873. ISSN 0962-8452. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.0873.
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/ancient-dolphin-discovered-with-teeth-spikes-unlike-any-seen-today/ar-AA1cvQY5?cvid=8e019494d8b1457f8299bd708ced64c7&ei=29
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/science/dolphin-tusks-fossil.html
- https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2023.0873
- https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-dolphin-discovered-teeth-spikes-unlike-any-seen-today-1805967
- https://www.nouvelles-du-monde.com/le-dauphin-aux-dents-ressemblant-a-des-defenses-nihohae-matakoi-etait-une-espece-unique/
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