The vertebral column of #Fucaia is like that of Aetiocetus which has been interpreted as being relatively flexible. The long flippers & flexible column led us to interpret Fucaia as an agile swimmer, able to pursue quick prey while navigating complex marine environments (i.e. kelp forests). 7/8

The lack of lateral palatal foramina & a close-fitting bite in #Fucaia goedertorum would then be inconsistent with the presence of some form of proto-baleen. Thus we interpret Fucaia as a raptorial/suction-assisted raptorial feeder. This suggests that the origins of baleen are far more complex. 5/8

Meanwhile, the palate of #Fucaia goedertorum lacks distinctive features, called lateral palatal foramina, that have been proposed as proxies for the presence of baleen or proto-baleen in other aetiocetids. This has implications for ongoing discussions regarding the origins of baleen. 4/8

The skull & postcranium of #Fucaia goedertorum shows some interesting features. Its relatively large orbits suggests that vision was likely important for food acquisition. While most of the teeth are not preserved, the alveoli suggest incipient polydonty as in other aetiocetids. 3/8
#FossilFriday

Morphology of the toothed mysticete Fucaia goedertorum and a reassessment of Aetiocetidae (Cetacea, Mysticeti) Aetiocetids are a relatively diverse group of small toothed mysticetes that lived from the late Eocene through the late Oligocene in the North Pacific Ocean. They are characterized by a combination...

#FossilFriday! Here’s my new paper w/ Atzcalli Hernández-Cisneros describing the aetiocetid #Fucaia goedertorum from the #Oligocene of Washington. #Aetiocetids are toothed #mysticetes from the North Pacific & are key for understanding the early evolutionary history of baleen whales. 1/8
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