5.2" Fossil Primitive Whale (Pappocetus) Jaw Section - Morocco

This is a 5.2" wide jaw section with an intact premolar. It is from Pappocetus lugardi, a type of protocetid cetacean (early whale ancestor). These rare specimens come from the Middle Eocene-aged Aridal Formation, located in the Western Sahara near Gueran, Morocco. The crown measures 2.4" wide.

It comes with an acrylic display stand.

The tooth is natural and has not been mounted to the jaw. There is some glue stabilization along the underside of the jaw where the roots would sit. It comes with an acrylic display stand.

About Pappocetus

Pappocetus is a genus of extinct protocetid cetacean. Protocetids are considered to be one of the earliest examples of whale development during the time they were transitioning from land to sea. Fossil records indicate that they are Middle Eocene in age, existing after Pakicetus (earliest known whale) and prior to Zygorhiza (basilosaurid). These protocetids had become much more whale-like in appearance, featuring a more streamlined body with paddle-like forelegs, and hind-limbs that were greatly reduced in size. Their robust teeth and root structures suggest that they were aquatic carnivores, relying on smell and vision as their most important senses for hunting prey. It's unlikely that by this point they had developed echolocation systems used by modern whales.
SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Pappocetus lugardi
LOCATION
Gueran, Boujdour, Western Sahara, Morocco
FORMATION
Aridal Formation
SIZE
Entire specimen: 5.2 x 3.2", Tooth: 2.4" wide
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#238053
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.