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Macrodelphinus Kelloggi
''Macrodelphinus'' is an extinct genus of primitive odontocete known from Early Miocene marine deposits in California. Biology ''Macrodelphinus'' was an orca-sized odontocete similar to members of Eurhinodelphinidae in having a swordfish-like rostrum and upper jaw. Because of its size, and inch-long teeth, it is believed to have been an apex predator. Classification ''Macrodelphinus'' is known from a fragmentary skull from the Early Miocene Jewett Sand Formation of Kern County, southern California. Although often classified as a member of Eurhinodelphinidae, the cladistic analysis of ''Chilcacetus'' recovers it outside Eurhinodelphinidae, less advanced than ''Eoplatanista''. The Miocene species ''"Champsodelphis" valenciennesii'' Brandt, 1873, based on a rostrum fragment from marine sediments in Landes, France, was assigned to ''Macrodelphinus'' by Kellogg (1944).R. Kellogg. 1944. Fossil Cetaceans from the Florida Tertiary. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eurhinodelphis
''Eurhinodelphis'' ("well-nosed dolphin") is an extinct genus of Miocene cetacean. Its fossils have been found in Belgium, France, and Maryland. Species Currently-valid species are: * ''E. cocheuteuxi'' * ''E. longirostris'' Former species include: * ''E. bossi'', now a species of '' Xiphiacetus''. Description ''Eurhinodelphis'' was around in length. In most respects, it would have looked like a modern dolphin or porpoise, but its upper jaw was elongated into a sharp tip similar to that of a swordfish. Most likely, ''Eurhinodelphis'' used it in a similar manner to swordfish, hitting or stabbing prey. It also had long, sharp teeth. Compared with earlier fossil species, ''Eurhinodelphis'' had complex ears, suggesting that it already hunted by echolocation like modern whales. Its brain was also asymmetrical, a trait found in modern dolphins, and possibly associated with the complexities of navigating its environment. History ''Eurhinodelphis'' was first described by B. Du Bus ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |