Physeterula Temporal range:Miocene | |
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Scientific classification![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Infraorder: | Cetacea |
Family: | Physeteridae |
Subfamily: | Physeterinae |
Genus: | †Physeterula Van Beneden, 1877 |
Species | |
P. dubusi |
Physeterula was a prehistoric close relative of thesperm whale from the Miocene. Its fossils have been found inEurope and theUnited States.[1]
This large species is the most stemward physeterid, retaining functional upper teeth lacking enamel.[2]