A significant fossil discovery on Victoria's Surf Coast has revealed Janjucetus dullardi, a previously unknown species of ancient whale that lived approximately 25 million years ago. This find marks the first new fossil whale species identified in Australia in nearly two decades and offers crucial insights into the early stages of whale evolution.
Janjucetus dullardi presented a stark contrast to its modern descendants. Measuring around two meters in length, this early whale was a compact predator with large, forward-facing eyes and a jaw equipped with sharp, slicing teeth, suggesting a diet of fish. Researchers have described it as a "shark-like version of a baleen whale," small and deceptively cute, yet formidable. This ancient creature belonged to the mammalodontids, an early whale group that flourished during the Oligocene Epoch (roughly 30 to 23 million years ago). Southern Australia is increasingly recognized as a vital region for uncovering the evolutionary history of marine mammals.
The partial skull and teeth of Janjucetus dullardi were discovered in 2019 by local resident Ross Dullard, who subsequently donated the find to Museums Victoria. Dr. Erich Fitzgerald, Senior Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology at Museums Victoria, highlighted the importance of such public discoveries, stating they "unlock entire chapters of evolution we've never seen before." The exceptional preservation of the fossil, particularly its ear bones, allows scientists to study how these early whales perceived their environment, hunted, and adapted their sensory systems to aquatic life, contributing to the complex evolutionary narrative of whales.