Whakakai

Wha-ka-kai.
By Benjamin Gutierrez
Published on

Benjamin Gutierrez

Vertebrate Paleontologist

Benjamin Gutierrez is a leading expert on dinosaurs, particularly the mighty theropods. His fieldwork in South America has uncovered new species and provided insights into dinosaur social structures.

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Gutierrez, B. (2016, April 21). Whakakai. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/whakakai/

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Name

Whakakai.

Phonetic

Wha-ka-kai.

Named By

C.‭ ‬H.‭ ‬Tsai‭ & ‬R.‭ ‬E.‭ ‬Fordyce‭ ‬-‭ ‬2016.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Mammalia,‭ ‬Artiodactyla,‭ ‬Cetacea,‭ ‬Mysticeti.

Diet

Filter feeder.

Species

W.‭ ‬waipata‭

Size

Unavailable.

Known locations

New Zealand‭ ‬-‭ ‬Kokoamu Greensand.

Time Period

Chattian of the Oligocene.

Fossil representation

Partial remains.

In Depth

       Whakakai is a genus of whale that lived in waters around New Zealand during the Oligocene.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Archaic baleen whale from the Kokoamu Greensand:‭ ‬earbones distinguish a new late Oligocene mysticete‭ (‬Cetacea:‭ ‬Mysticeti‭) ‬from New Zealand.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand‭ ‬46‭(‬2‭)‬:117-138.‭ ‬-‭ ‬C.‭ ‬H.‭ ‬Tsai‭ & ‬R.‭ ‬E.‭ ‬Fordyce‭ ‬-‭ ‬2016.

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