Stomach contents of the archaeocete Basilosaurus isis: Apex predator in oceans of the late Eocene
Fig 3
Photomosaic of Basilosaurus isis WH 10001 from the Gehannam Formation of Wadi Al Hitan.
B. isis skeletons in the overlying Birket Qarun Formation are often partially to fully articulated, but here in bones are disarticulated and scattered. Note that thoracic vertebrae, ribs, sternebrae, and forelimb elements predominate in the northwestern quadrant of the map, whereas lumbar vertebrae are concentrated in the southeastern quadrant. Most cranial elements (dark gray) are near the center, but B. isis teeth are distributed more widely (Fig 4). Disarticulation and scatter observed here suggest disturbance by scavengers and possibly long exposure on the sea floor.