Peru displays fossil of unique dolphin species from 12 million years ago

Paleontologists presented this Wednesday (17) the fossil of a little-studied species of marine dolphin, 12 million years old, found in southern Peru.

Measuring three and a half meters long, the petrified skeleton of the Lomacetus specimen was discovered nearly intact during excavations in the Ocucaje desert, about 350 km south of Lima.

"It's a type of dolphin, an animal that lived around 12 million years ago," vertebrate paleontologist Mario Gamarra told AFP after a press conference at the headquarters of the Geological, Mining and Metallurgy Institute (INGEMMET).

According to Gamarra, Lomacetus “is similar to the current porpoises, or sea dolphins, that live on the Peruvian coast.”

“We have an almost complete skeleton, which allows us to carry out more detailed studies on the entire animal, how it moved, how it swam, what it ate and how long it lived,” he explained.

Ocucaje is considered a region of great value for paleontology.

Just over two decades ago, fossils of two four-legged minke whales were found in the desert, as well as dolphins, sharks and other species from the Miocene period, which began around 23 million years ago and ended approximately 5 million years ago.

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