Eophyseter

{{Short description|Extinct genus of sperm whale from the Pliocene epoch}} {{Automatic taxobox | fossil_range = {{fossil range|3.2|3.0|3.2-3.0 Ma ([[Piacenzian]])}}<ref name="Description">{{Cite journal|last1=Bisconti|first1=M.|last2=Daniello|first2=R.|last3=Stecca|first3=R.|last4=Carnevale|first4=G.|title=A new Pliocene sperm whale from Vigliano D'Asti, Piedmont, Northwest Italy.|journal=Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia|date=2025 |volume=131|issue=1|pages=139–175|doi=10.54103/2039-4942/22338|bibcode=2025RIPS..13122338B |url=https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/RIPS/article/download/22338/23689|doi-access=free}}</ref> | taxon = Eophyseter | authority = Bisconti ''et al.'', 2025 | type_species = †'''''Eophyseter damarcoi''''' | type_species_authority = Bisconti ''et al.'', 2025 }}

'''''Eophyseter''''' is a [[genus]] of extinct [[Physeteroidea|physeterid]] sperm whale from the [[Pliocene]] [[epoch]] of [[Italy]]. It contains one known species: '''''Eophyseter damarcoi''''', the remains of which were found in the [[Sabbie d'Asti Formation]] in the municipality of [[Vigliano d'Asti]]. The holotype specimen, MGPT-PU 13864, is relatively complete, consisting of a partial skeleton including most of the vertebral column, a partial left flipper and sternum, fifteen ribs and one chevron. The generic name derives from the [[Ancient Greek]] words for dawn (ήώς) and blower (φυσώ). The specific name honors [[Piero Damarco]], who facilitated the preparation of the holotype specimen.<ref name="Description" />

Phylogenetic analysis by Michelangelo Bisconti and colleagues recovers ''Eophyseter'' within the family [[Physeteroidea|Physeteridae]], placing it as sister to ''[[Idiophyseter]]'' and as a close relative to ''[[Aulophyseter]]'' and the [[Sperm whale|modern sperm whale]] (''Physeter macrocephalus''). Using four equations derived from measurements taken from extant sperm whales, Bisconti and colleagues estimated the mean skeletal length of ''Eophyseter'' at {{Convert abbreviated|12.83|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and its total body length to have been {{Convert abbreviated|15.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} in life.<ref name="Description" />

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Odontoceti|C.}} {{Portal bar|Cetaceans|Marine life|Paleontology|Prehistoric mammals}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q132344015}}

[[Category:Physeteroidea]] [[Category:Prehistoric toothed whales]] [[Category:Monotypic prehistoric cetacean genera]] [[Category:Pliocene cetaceans]] [[Category:Pliocene mammals of Europe]] [[Category:Neogene Italy]] [[Category:Fossils of Italy]] [[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2025]]