WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scientists have unearthed fossils in a coastal desert of southern Peru of a four-legged whale that thrived both in the sea and on land about 43 million years ago in a discovery that illuminates a pivotal stage in early cetacean evolution.

The 13-foot-long (4-meter) mammal, named Peregocetus pacificus, represents a crucial intermediate step before whales became fully adapted to a marine existence, the scientists said on Thursday.

Read more: https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-science-whale/ancient-four-legged-whale-from-peru-walked-on-land-swam-in-sea-idUKKCN1RG1ZF

I wonder if the environmental forcing that drove them back into the sea was mainly food availability and easier mobility for larger mammals.
Somewhat like hippos who spend all their time wading semi-submerged in pools.
( although their rendition looks more lizard-like than mammalian )

Edited April 4, 20196 yr by MigL

1 minute ago, MigL said:

I wonder if the environmental forcing that drove them back into the sea was mainly food availability and easier mobility for larger mammals.
( somewhat like hippos who spend all their time wading semi-submerged in pools )

 

Quote

“We think that it was feeding in the water, and that its underwater locomotion was easier than that on land,” said Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences paleontologist Olivier Lambert

 

Yes, thanks Stringy, I read that part.
Just wondering about any other forcings as they don't seem that big ( to avoid land altogether ); maybe lack of food on land ?

3 minutes ago, MigL said:

Yes, thanks Stringy, I read that part.
Just wondering about any other forcings as they don't seem that big ( to avoid land altogether ); maybe lack of food on land ?

Pass.