Scientists in Australia have described a new species of ancient whale from a fossil found near Jan Juc on Victoria’s Surf Coast, offering a rare glimpse into the early evolution of baleen whales – the largest animals that exist today.
The remains belong to Janjucetus dullardi, a small but formidable predator that lived around 26 million years ago. Unlike its modern filter-feeding cousins, the prehistoric whale was about the size of a dolphin, with a short snout, large eyes and razor-sharp teeth. It patrolled the warm, shallow seas of what is now Victoria in search of prey.
The discovery, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, provides new insight into how whales evolved from fearsome hunters into today’s gentle filter feeders.
Discovering the ancient whale
The fossil, a partial skull with teeth and ear bones, was found in 2019 by local resident Ross Dullard. Recognising its significance, he donated it to Museums Victoria. In honour of his contribution, the species was named after him.
“Ross’ discovery has unlocked an entire chapter of whale evolution we’ve never seen before," says Dr Erich Fitzgerald, Senior Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology at Museums Victoria Research Institute. "It’s a reminder that world-changing fossils can be found in your own backyard.”
- What is a living fossil?
- How were dinosaur footprints preserved?
- What was the world’s largest dinosaur?
- Why did dinosaurs get so big?
What was Janjucetus dullardi?
The study identifies the specimen as a juvenile, just over two metres long. It belonged to the mammalodontids, a little-known group of early whales that lived during the Oligocene Epoch, around 30 to 23 million years ago. Only four species are known worldwide, three of them from Victoria.
“It’s essentially a little whale with big eyes and a mouth full of sharp, slicing teeth,” says Ruairidh Duncan, a PHD student at Museums Victoria Research Institute and Monash University, and lead author of the study. “Imagine the shark-like version of a baleen whale – small and deceptively cute, but definitely not harmless.”
MicroCT scans revealed intricate inner ear structures, including the cochlea, which will help scientists understand how this predator sensed its surroundings, the way it hunted and how exactly it navigated the ocean.
The researchers say the fossil-rich Jan Juc Formation, where the specimen was found, is becoming recognised as an international hotspot for studying early whale evolution. They also highlight the importance of studying specimens in museum collections.
“The findings demonstrate the power of our collections to unlock stories that change the way we understand life on Earth,” says Lynley Crosswell, CEO and Director of Museums Victoria. "Discoveries like Janjucetus dullardi remind us that our collections are not just about the past – they’re shaping the future of science.”
Top image: Jan Juc beach, near to where the fossil was found. Credit: Getty
More amazing wildlife stories from around the world
- In 1978, palaeontologists unearthed an ancient sea reptile from a German quarry. They've only just realised its significance
- Dusty old moth found in London museum leads taxonomists to remarkable discovery
- Why half-a-billion-year-old animals unearthed in Grand Canyon have got evolution experts so excited
- “Everything is bigger in Texas”: fossil hunters unearth 'giant' animal in Big Bend National Park
