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News Release 11-169

Ancient Whale Skulls and Directional Hearing: A Twisted Tale

Skewed skulls may have helped early whales find direction of sounds in water

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Restoration of Basilosaurus isis.

Restoration of Basilosaurus isis; this specimen lived in Egypt.

Credit: Giorgio Pilleri


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3-D model of asymmetrical skull of archaeocete whale Basilosaurus isis.

3-D model of asymmetrical skull of archaeocete whale Basilosaurus isis, from CT scans.

Credit: Julia Fahlke


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Illustration showing evolutionary relationships among hoofed mammals and ancient and modern whales.

Evolutionary relationships among even-toed hoofed mammals/archaeocete whales/modern whales.

Credit: Julia Fahlke


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Photo showing the 2005 Egypt excavation of the Basilosaurus isis skull.

The 2005 Egypt excavation of the Basilosaurus isis skull that was studied.

Credit: Philip Gingerich


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Restoration of Basilosaurus isis, based on a complete skeleton.

Restoration of Basilosaurus isis, based on a complete skeleton.

Credit: John Klausmeyer, University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology


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