New ancient miniature whale species identified by researchers

Researchers have identified new ancient whale species, Tutcetus rayanensis, that lived in the sea covering present-day Egypt around 41 million years ago. Measuring about 2.5 meters long and weighing roughly 187 kg, Tutcetus is the smallest basilosaurid whale and one of the oldest-known of its kind from Africa. Despite its size, it provided unique insights about early whales, researchers said.