The unknown species of dolphin, which roamed the sea that covered Switzerland 20 million years ago, has been identified by scientists from the Institute of Paleontology at the University of Zurich.
After examining about 300 fossils of whales and dolphins from this period, researchers identified two previously unknown species, the university said.
Combing fragments of teeth, vertebrae and bone discovered in layers of marine sediment, paleontologists searched for rarely found bones inside the ear that helped classify the species.
We met two unknown families of dolphins in Switzerlandpaleontologist Gabriel Aguirre said in a University statement.
Using computer-assisted microtomography, an imaging technique, the researchers were able to reconstruct the soft tissue around the ear bones, creating 3D images of the appendages.
This helped us better assess the hearing abilities of dolphinsexplained Mr. Aguirre.
In their study, published by the site PeerJthe researchers explained that they established that the extinct species they identified were related to the sperm whales and dolphins that live today.
Twenty million years ago, sharks, fish, dolphins and cetaceans thrived in the seas that occupy Switzerland, whose shores were colonized by crustaceans, mussels and sea urchins.
A large amount of fossils have been discovered in the sedimentary layers known as the upper marine molasses.
Source: Radio-Canada
