Today we know orcas as large, ferocious predators who sit at the top of the ocean’s food chain and regularly feed on whales, sharks, dolphins, fish and other sea creatures. But an ancient and much smaller species of dolphin may be an early ancestor of the fierce killer whale.
Scientists discovered a fossil specimen of a dolphin that lived between 2 and 5 million years ago. Named Orcinus citoniensis, it is thought to be related to the orcas that currently inhabit the ocean.
Analyzing a skull that had various parts missing, researchers noted a few differences between the fossilized dolphin and its modern counterpart. The specimen had more teeth in each jaw than currently-living orcas, and at a maximum size of about 13 feet, Orcinus citoniensis was much smaller than modern killer whales, which can grow up to 26 feet.
Not much is known about the ancient creature, but it may have been a transitional species between early dolphins and what we know as the killer whale today.
If the dolphin did manage to displace the terrifying super predator, that may have helped boost the orca to the top of the food chain, where it remains unchallenged today.
Some scientists also speculate that competition from these creatures for resources may have been one factor that led to the decline of Megalodon — the massive, 50-foot-long shark that became extinct roughly 2.6 million years ago.
Watch the video below to learn more about Megalodon:
