Newly discovered prehistoric dolphin may have used its jaw to imprison fish

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-02-22 03:00

New Zealand

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New Zealand scientists have discovered a new species of ancient dolphin with splayed out teeth, suggesting it hunted its prey in a very unique way. The researchers theorise the dolphin could have swept through schools of small fish in shallow waters, closing its mouth to trap them against its splayed teeth – kind of like a targeted form of filter feeding, more often seen in whales. The creature's new scientific name Aureia rerehua, comes from Māori words referring to the shape of its teeth (aurei/cloak pin), and how well preserved its skull is in the 22-million year old fossils (rerehua/beautiful).