Ancestor species of four-legged whale found in Egypt | Natural

Waterfall fossil Phyomycetes anubis It was first discovered in the western desert of Egypt.

His skull resembles Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god with the head of a palm tree – the name of the god.

The ancestors of modern whales evolved from deer-like land mammals that lived on land for 10 million years.

About 600 kg and 3 m long, the Phyomycetes anubis According to a study released by the Royal Society B on Wednesday (25), its jaws were strong enough to catch prey. The whale was able to walk on land and swim in the water.

Her partial skeleton was found in Fayou depression in Egypt and analyzed by scientists at the University of Mansoura. Although the area is now deserted, it was once covered by the sea and is a rich source of fossils.

“Oh Phyomycetes anubis This is a new type of whale and a great discovery for Egyptian and African paleontology, “said Abdullah Kohr, a researcher at Reuters.

Although this is not the first time a fossil of a foot whale has been found, it is believed Phyomycetes anubis It is the oldest semi-aquatic whale found in Africa.

The first whales are believed to have grown in South Asia about 50 million years ago. In 2011, a team of paleontologists in Peru discovered a 43-million-year-old whale fossil with four legs, webs and hoofs.