Aquaculture dolphin and whale teeth

New Zealand scientists have found a fossil belonging to the previously unknown dolphin, and most likely the ancestor of modern-toothed dolphins and whales.

Researchers at Otago University said the dolphin was named Papahu taitapu , living between 19-22 million years ago, according to Otago Daily Times.

Unique dolphin skull has been found in New Zealand - (Photo: University of Otago)

It is known that the skull, jaw and some other bones were found inside the submerged sedimentary rocks on South Island, and this is also the only fossil of this species ever discovered.

The skull structure shows Papahu about 1.8 meters long, similar in size to dolphins today, and has many conical teeth like most modern dolphins.

Papahu's skull has completely different characteristics from previous fossils.

'When comparing Papahu to modern dolphins and other fossils, we found it belongs to an ancient group of dolphins that have grown and existed throughout the world's seas , ' said the professor Ewan Fordyce.

All ancient dolphin species, including Papahu and others, such as shark-toothed dolphins, are extinct.

They have been replaced by modern dolphins and toothed sharks, which have evolved over the past 19 million years.