In the shadowy depths of the Peruvian proto-Amazon, an artistic vision brings to life Pebanista yacuruna, a creature of ancient waters. This image, crafted by Jaime Bran, stirs the imagination with its depiction of a world long gone.
The Amazon basin, a treasure trove of biodiversity, once harbored freshwater dolphins of remarkable size. These giants of the river stretched up to 3.5 meters in length, standing as the largest river dolphins ever discovered by science.
This revelation came to light during a 2018 expedition in Peru, led by Aldo Benites-Palomino from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. The discovery was made when the team spotted a fossilized dolphin skull emerging from a riverbank. Immediate recognition of its significance led to a closer examination, which confirmed the skull’s unique characteristics, unlike any previously identified.
The newly discovered species has been named Pebanista yacuruna, a tribute to the Yacuruna, mythical aquatic beings believed to dwell in submerged cities within the Amazon basin. This name connects the ancient dolphin to the rich tapestry of lore surrounding its home.
Dating back 16 million years, the fossil was found in an area once dominated by a vast lake, described by Benites-Palomino as “almost like a little ocean in the middle of the jungle.” The physical traits of P. yacuruna, including its small eye sockets and large teeth, suggest it was a predator with limited vision, relying heavily on echolocation to navigate the murky waters in search of fish.
Contrary to initial expectations, research indicated that P. yacuruna’s closest living relatives are not the modern Amazon river dolphins but rather the river dolphins of South Asia. This ancient species shared with them skull features that enhanced their echolocation capabilities.
The extinction of P. yacuruna is believed to have occurred during a significant ecological transformation. Approximately 11 to 12 million years ago, the vast wetland system began to drain, paving the way for the modern Amazon. This period marked the disappearance of numerous species, including, it seems, this remarkable giant dolphin.