{"product_id":"supayacetus-muizoni-1","title":"Supayacetus muizoni","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:88a0ac1d-1400-42e1-99e4-f7212a06eab6-2\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:88a0ac1d-1400-42e1-99e4-f7212a06eab6-2\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:88a0ac1d-1400-42e1-99e4-f7212a06eab6-2\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-2\" data-scroll-anchor=\"false\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"79168e78-a361-4378-8b75-a3e9ce42ae8c\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"66\" data-end=\"790\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"66\" data-end=\"89\"\u003eSupayacetus muizoni\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e was an archaeocete cetacean belonging to the Basilosauridae, a group of fully aquatic primitive whales that lived during the middle-late Eocene, approximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"273\" data-end=\"299\"\u003e40–37 million years ago\u003c\/strong\u003e, in the coastal waters of present-day Peru. It represents a very important transitional form in the early evolution of whales, showing a combination of primitive traits inherited from older archaeocetes and characteristics already clearly adapted to full marine life. Its fossils come from the \u003cstrong data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"637\"\u003eParacas Formation\u003c\/strong\u003e, in the Pisco basin, a region exceptionally rich in fossil marine vertebrates from the South American Pacific. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"792\" data-end=\"1314\"\u003eThe genus was described in 2011 from the holotype specimen \u003cstrong data-start=\"855\" data-end=\"868\"\u003eMUSM 1465\u003c\/strong\u003e, a partial skeleton composed of cranial fragments, vertebrae, ribs, teeth, and forelimb and sternum elements. The name \u003cem data-start=\"1012\" data-end=\"1025\"\u003eSupayacetus\u003c\/em\u003e combines \u003cstrong data-start=\"1034\" data-end=\"1045\"\u003e“Supay”\u003c\/strong\u003e, Inca deity of the underworld and death, with the Greek term \u003cem data-start=\"1109\" data-end=\"1116\"\u003eketos\u003c\/em\u003e (“whale”), while the epithet \u003cem data-start=\"1154\" data-end=\"1163\"\u003emuizoni\u003c\/em\u003e honors French paleontologist Christian de Muizon for his contributions to the study of Peruvian paleontology. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1316\" data-end=\"1967\"\u003eIn biometric terms, it was a relatively small to medium-sized whale for a basilosaurid, probably with a length close to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1463\" data-end=\"1477\"\u003e5–6 meters\u003c\/strong\u003e, clearly larger than early archaeocetes like \u003cem data-start=\"1527\" data-end=\"1539\"\u003eProtocetus\u003c\/em\u003e but smaller than later giants like \u003cem data-start=\"1581\" data-end=\"1595\"\u003eBasilosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e. Its body must have been elongated and streamlined, with forelimbs transformed into functional flippers and powerful axial musculature for undulatory swimming. Although no complete caudal remains have been preserved, it is reasonable to infer the presence of a developed caudal fin similar to that of other basilosaurids. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1969\" data-end=\"2665\"\u003eAnatomically, \u003cem data-start=\"1985\" data-end=\"1998\"\u003eSupayacetus\u003c\/em\u003e is particularly interesting because it preserves a mosaic of evolutionary characters. Its \u003cstrong data-start=\"2089\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003esternum featured a T-shaped manubrium\u003c\/strong\u003e, a condition considered relatively primitive and closer to semi-aquatic archaeocetes such as \u003cem data-start=\"2239\" data-end=\"2251\"\u003eRodhocetus\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem data-start=\"2254\" data-end=\"2268\"\u003eGeorgiacetus\u003c\/em\u003e than to more derived basilosaurids. This morphology suggests that it still retained certain ancestral anatomical configurations despite being an already fully marine whale. The shoulder was composed of a broad and robust scapula and a hemispherical humerus, well developed to support stabilizing movements of the pectoral fins during swimming. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2667\" data-end=\"3237\"\u003eIts dentition reveals an active marine predator. Its posterior teeth possessed a \u003cstrong data-start=\"2752\" data-end=\"2812\"\u003elarge central cusp accompanied by accessory denticles\u003c\/strong\u003e, a typical characteristic of basilosaurids adapted for gripping and tearing slippery prey. This indicates a diet probably based on \u003cstrong data-start=\"2963\" data-end=\"3022\"\u003ebony fish, small marine vertebrates, and cephalopods\u003c\/strong\u003e, which it would have caught in relatively productive coastal environments. It would not have practiced filter feeding like modern baleen whales, but rather direct predation by biting. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3239\" data-end=\"3870\"\u003eThe paleoenvironment where it lived was very different from present-day Peru. During the Eocene, the region was covered by a relatively shallow and surprisingly cold coastal sea for the time, probably influenced by ocean currents somewhat comparable to the current Humboldt system. The presence of cold-water foraminifera and remains of pelagic fish suggests highly productive marine ecosystems capable of sustaining large early marine predators. In this environment, it coexisted with other archaic cetaceans such as \u003cem data-start=\"3778\" data-end=\"3788\"\u003eOcucajea\u003c\/em\u003e, as well as even more primitive protocetids. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3872\" data-end=\"4596\"\u003eFrom an evolutionary point of view, \u003cem data-start=\"3907\" data-end=\"3928\"\u003eSupayacetus muizoni\u003c\/em\u003e holds a relevant position because it helps to understand the transition between early archaeocetes and fully modern whales. For years it was interpreted as one of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"4110\" data-end=\"4140\"\u003emost basal basilosaurids\u003c\/strong\u003e, due to its archaic anatomical features, although recent phylogenetic studies have suggested a possible closer relationship with derived forms close to the ancestors of modern cetaceans (\u003cem data-start=\"4341\" data-end=\"4350\"\u003eNeoceti\u003c\/em\u003e). This makes \u003cem data-start=\"4370\" data-end=\"4383\"\u003eSupayacetus\u003c\/em\u003e a key piece in understanding how marine locomotion, thoracic anatomy, and predatory adaptations evolved in the first fully oceanic cetaceans.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate measurements of Supayacetus:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:35 Full Scale\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength 135 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight 42 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth 48 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSnout-to-tail length 145 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Miniature Museum","offers":[{"title":"1:35 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54806404727052,"sku":"DC-1406-135-SINI","price":41.2,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Primed","offer_id":54806404759820,"sku":"DC-1406-135-IMPRI","price":48.2,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54806404792588,"sku":"DC-1406-135-PINTA","price":162.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/1106\/7660\/files\/Supayacetus_4.jpg?v=1779800244","url":"https:\/\/dinosauriacreatures.com\/en\/products\/supayacetus-muizoni-1","provider":"Dinosauria Creatures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}