| Physeter | |
|---|---|
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| Skeleton of asperm whale, the only extant member of the genus | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Physeteridae |
| Subfamily: | Physeterinae |
| Genus: | Physeter Linnaeus, 1758 |
| Type species | |
| Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758 | |
| Species | |
Physeter is a genus oftoothed whales. There is only one living species in this genus: thesperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).[2] Some extremely poorly knownfossil species have also been assigned to the same genus includingPhyseter antiquus (5.3–2.6 mya) from thePliocene ofFrance,[3] andPhyseter vetus (2.6 mya – 12 ka) from theQuaternary of the U.S. state ofGeorgia.[4]Physeter vetus is very likely an invalid species, as the few teeth that were used to identify this species appear to be identical to those of another toothed whale,Orycterocetus quadratidens.[5]
Sperm whales spend more than 72% of their time engaged in foraging dive cycles.Foraging behavior, including buzz vocalizations for prey capture. The efficiency of sperm whale foraging is attributed to their effective long range echolocation, and efficient locomotion during deep dives.[6]
The name is from Greekφυσητήρ (physētēr)'blowpipe, blowhole (of a whale)'.[7]
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