Petter Larsson

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About

Petter Larsson is a leading evolutionary biologist whose research centers on the macroevolution, functional morphology, and feeding ecology of marine mammals, with a particular focus on baleen whales. His most significant contribution lies in unraveling the evolutionary history of the pygmy right whale (*Caperea marginata*), the smallest and most enigmatic living mysticete. In his highly cited 2023 paper, Larsson demonstrated that the skim-feeding strategy of *Caperea*—long thought to be a shared, derived trait linking it to true right whales—is actually a striking case of convergent evolution. By integrating morphological and molecular data, he showed that *Caperea* is not a close relative of right whales, but instead represents a separate, ancient lineage that independently evolved a similar filter-feeding mode. This work has reshaped our understanding of cetacean phylogeny and the evolution of feeding adaptations. With 6 citations in a short time, his findings are already influencing studies on ecological specialization and the drivers of morphological convergence in marine vertebrates. Larsson’s research is essential reading for anyone interested in the interplay between form, function, and evolutionary history in the ocean’s largest predators.