16-Million-Year-Old Dolphin Fossil In Peru Has Links To India

A group of scientists on Wednesday made a remarkable discovery when they found the fossilised skull of a river dolphin in Peru, which is believed to be around 16 million years old. What makes this discovery even more fascinating is that this particular species of river dolphin used to swim in the waters that now make up the Amazon River. The newly discovered dolphin belongs to a species whose closest living relative is the South Asian river dolphin, commonly found in the Ganges River in India.

The Findings

According to media reports, palaeontologist Rodolfo Salas has revealed that the discovered skull belonged to the largest dolphin ever known to have lived in the waters of South America. The dolphin is called the Pebanista yacuruna after a Peruvian mythological being that lived in deep water. It measures between 3 to 3.5 meters in length (9.8 to 11.4 feet). According to Salas, this particular dolphin is related to the dolphin species found in the Ganges River in India, although the one found in Peru is much larger than its living relatives in Asia.

He also explained that the ancestors of both dolphins had originally lived in the ocean. “This allowed them to occupy large ocean spaces near the coasts of India and South America. These animals lived in freshwater environments both in the Amazon and India. Sadly, they became extinct in the Amazon, but in India, they survived,” Salas added.

Why It Is Important

Studying the evolution of river dolphins and their adaptation to different environments over time has the potential to uncover valuable insights for scientists. These discoveries could shed light on the mysteries of the Amazon River's past and the creatures that inhabited it. By understanding how these fascinating creatures survived and thrived in various habitats, we can use this knowledge to help protect their future.

Salas's paper was published in the journal Science Advances with the title 'The largest freshwater odontocete: A South Asian river dolphin relative from the proto-Amazonia'. Several dolphin lineages have independently invaded freshwater systems, the report explained. Among these, the evolution of the South Asian river dolphin Platanista and its relatives (Platanistidae) remains virtually unknown as fossils are scarce. 

About The Ganges River Dolphin

The Ganges river dolphins are a species of freshwater mammals that can be found in the river systems of the Ganges, Meghna, Brahmaputra and Karnaphuli-Sangu in Nepal, India and Bangladesh. They are one of the oldest species of dolphins still existing today. Unfortunately, they are currently endangered and less than 5,000 of them are left in the world. This dolphin species is known by various names, including Susu, Sus, Swongsu, Soonse, Sunsar, Hiho, Shihu, Shusshuk, Foomach and Sishumaach.