Researchers have identified a new extinct toothed whale species, reported by the College of Charleston.
Five skulls were unearthed near Charleston, South Carolina. Two new species, Coronadon planifrons and Coronadon newtonorum, were found within the same geological layer and date to the late Oligocene, about 25 to 23 million years ago. Earlier, Coronadon havestein appeared 30 to 28 million years ago and is considered a potential ancestor to the other two species. Coronadon planifrons earned its name from a distinctive flat brow ridge, while Coronadon newtonorum was previously known from a single skull and jaw with small teeth and a mouth shape that gave the impression of a constant grin.
New specimens of Coronadon havestein include one adult and two calves. The discovery of offspring is especially important because it allows researchers to trace development across life stages, shedding light on evolutionary changes. Unlike modern dolphins or baleen whales, the snout length in this species remained relatively constant as individuals grew, a trait likely linked to their large teeth.
Additionally, the findings suggest Coronadon possessed a very large head relative to body size and swam in a manner similar to today’s baleen whales. The species likely had flexible jaws and skull joints that could support filter-feeding mechanics, hinting at an evolutionary shift from hunting to plankton filtration. These observations help illuminate a key transition in whale evolution.
Earlier there were suggestions that moths possess tails and function as traps for bats, a point discussed in related research. [Attribution: College of Charleston]