Biology:Squalodelphinidae

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Short description: Extinct family of mammals

Squalodelphinidae
Temporal range: ?late Chattian-Langhian, 23–11.6 Ma
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Superfamily: Platanistoidea
Family: Squalodelphinidae
Dal Piaz, 1917
Genera

Squalodelphinidae is a family of primitive platanistoid river dolphins found in marine deposits in the eastern Pacific, western Atlantic, and Europe.[1]

Description

Distinguishing features of Squalodelphinidae include a moderately elongated and tapered rostrum, posterior cheek teeth being single-rooted but retaining accessory denticles, and marked skull asymmetry. Members of the family can be differentiated from the South Asian river dolphin by their shorter rostrum.[2]

References

  1. "Fossilworks: Squalodelphinidae". http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=53261. 
  2. O. Lambert, G. Bianucci, and M. Urbina. 2014. Huaridelphis raimondii, a new early Miocene Squalodelphinidae (Cetacea, Odontoceti) from the Chilcatay Formation, Peru. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(5):987-1004

Wikidata ☰ Q21291935 entry