New Miniature Ancient Whale Species Discovered in Egypt Sheds Light on Early Aquatic Evolution

Paleontologists discovered a new species of ancient whale in Egypt, Tutcetus rayanensis, which is the smallest known basilosaurid whale.
Tutcetus lived about 41 million years ago during the transition from land to sea for whale ancestors.
The small size may be a primitive retention or adaptation to global warming at the time.
The discovery provides insight into early whale evolution and their shift to a fully aquatic lifestyle.
The fossil was found in Egypt's Fayum Oasis, a site rich in ancient whale fossils that is reshaping paleontology in Africa.