• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Sci-tech

Fossil of previously unknown four-legged whale found in Egypt

26 August 2021, 1:45 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
The new whale, named Phiomicetus anubis, had an estimated body length of some three meters and a body mass of about 600 kg, and was likely a top predator.

The new whale, named Phiomicetus anubis, had an estimated body length of some three meters and a body mass of about 600 kg, and was likely a top predator.

Image: Reuters

The new whale, named Phiomicetus anubis, had an estimated body length of some three meters and a body mass of about 600 kg, and was likely a top predator.

Scientists said on Wednesday they had discovered the 43 million-year-old fossil of a previously unknown amphibious four-legged whale species in Egypt that helps trace the transition of whales from land to sea.

The newly discovered whale belongs to the Protocetidae, a group of extinct whales that falls in the middle of that transition, the Egyptian-led team of researchers said in a statement.

Its fossil was unearthed from middle Eocene rocks in the Fayum Depression in Egypt’s Western Desert — an area once covered by sea that has provided a rich seam of discoveries showing the evolution of whales — before being studied at Mansoura University Vertebrate Palaeontology Centre (MUVP).

The new whale, named Phiomicetus anubis, had an estimated body length of some three meters and a body mass of about 600 kg, and was likely a top predator, the researchers said.

Its partial skeleton revealed it as the most primitive protocetid whale known from Africa.

“Phiomicetus anubis is a key new whale species, and a critical discovery for Egyptian and African paleontology,” said Abdullah Gohar of MUVP, lead author of a paper on the discovery published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

The whale’s genus name honours the Fayum Depression and species name refers to Anubis, the ancient canine-headed Egyptian god associated with mummification and the afterlife.

Despite recent fossil discoveries, the big picture of early whale evolution in Africa has largely remained a mystery, the researchers said. Work in the region had the potential to reveal new details about the evolutionary transition from amphibious to fully aquatic whales.

With rocks covering about 12 million years, discoveries in the Fayum Depression “range from semi aquatic crocodile-like whales to giant fully aquatic whales”, said Mohamed Sameh of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, a co-author.

The new whale has raised questions about ancient eco systems and pointed research towards questions such as the origin and coexistence of ancient whales in Egypt, said Hesham Sellam, founder of the MUVP and another co-author.

Share article
Previous Post

Roughly 1 500 US citizens likely still in Afghanistan – Blinken

Next Post

US embassy alert advises US citizens not to go to Kabul airport

Related Posts

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol - technology is used in millions of cars and smart locks which automatically open when in close proximity to an authorised device

Tesla cars, Bluetooth locks, vulnerable to hackers: Researchers

17 May 2022, 4:26 PM

CORONAVIRUS: Your daily update

17 May 2022, 5:15 AM
People wearing protective face masks commute amid concerns over the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Pyongyang, North Korea March 30, 2020.

N.Korea mobilises army, steps up tracing amid COVID wave

17 May 2022, 4:37 AM
The raw ingredients of the ready-to-eat-therapeutic food have leapt in price amid the global food crisis sparked by the war and pandemic, UNICEF said.

UN warns of ‘catastrophic’ child malnutrition due to price hikes, Ukraine war

17 May 2022, 2:54 AM
Shares dropped more than 8% to close at $37.39, lower than their level the day before Musk revealed his Twitter stake in early April, sowing doubts that the billionaire entrepreneur would proceed with his $44 billion acquisition of the company at the agreed price.

Musk tells conference a lower price for Twitter might be appropriate

16 May 2022, 11:47 PM
Leafline products are comfortable, durable, washable and re-usable, so not only are they cost-effective, they're kinder on the environment too.

Pineapple leaf pads to curb ‘period poverty’ gap

16 May 2022, 12:50 PM
Next Post
Citizens already at the airport's Abbey Gate, East Gate, and North Gate were advised to leave immediately, said the security alert.

US embassy alert advises US citizens not to go to Kabul airport

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • SA may be home to world’s oldest person
  • [WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT] Nigerian student beaten, burned to death over ‘blasphemous’ text messages
  • Cape Town’s Noise Nuisances by-law back in the spotlight
  • Several stalls set alight at Pan Africa Mall in Alexandra
  • Stellenbosch University suspends white student for urinating on black student’s laptop
  • SA may be home to world’s oldest person
  • Decrease in petrol price but diesel expected to increase between 70 and 80 cents
  • University of Mpumalanga opens a hotel within its Mbombela Campus
  • Some R350 grant beneficiaries have not yet received April payments
  • Cosatu’s May Day celebrations descended into chaos, proceedings halted

LATEST

[File image]
  • Sport

Girmay wins Giro stage 10 as Lopez retains pink jersey


A man walks past the damage caused by the KwaZulu-Natal floods.
  • South Africa

Concerns raised that orphaned KZN learners may be forced into child labour following floods


[File Image] Former South African President Jacob Zuma sits in the dock after recess in his corruption trial in Pietermaritzburg.
  • Politics

JG Zuma Foundation welcomes postponement of corruption trial


Police walk past a looted shop during the 2021 July unrest in Durban.
  • Business

Office of Ombudsman for short and long-term insurance receives highest number of disputes in history


Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis.
  • Africa

Clashes rock Tripoli as Bashagha forced from capital


Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol - technology is used in millions of cars and smart locks which automatically open when in close proximity to an authorised device
  • Sci-tech

Tesla cars, Bluetooth locks, vulnerable to hackers: Researchers


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Roughly 1 500 US citizens likely still in Afghanistan – Blinken
Next US embassy alert advises US citizens not to go to Kabul airport