Fossil cetaceans from Duinefontein (Koeberg) an early Pliocene site on the southwestern Cape, South Africa

Palaeontologia Electronica

Romala Govender¹ 

[1] Iziko Museums of South Africa and University of Cape Town

关键词: Romala Govender;    cetaceans;    balaenopterid;    odontocete;    Koeberg;    Neogene;    Pliocene;   

DOI  :  10.26879/673

学科分类：地质学

来源: Palaeontologia Electronica

【 摘 要 】

Koeberg is a Zanclean, subsurface locality on the west coast of South Africa, which was unearthed during the excavations of the Koeberg Power Station foundations. Mysticetes and odontocetes have been identified from this locality ca. 12 m below the surface. The preservational nature prevents species level identification in some instances. The balaenopterids are represented by specimens assigned to ‘Balaenoptera’ borealina, Diunatans sp. 1 andFragilicetus sp. while other specimens are only identified as balaenopterids. The odontocetes have been referred to Odontoceti indet. (possibly delphinids), a beaked whale (cf. Izikoziphius) and a single phocoenid, cf.Australithax. There is undescribed odontocetes most likely physeterids. The balaenopterids and odontocetes suggest a connection of the west coast of South Africa to north Atlantic of Europe and North America, and eastern South Pacific.

【 授权许可】

CC BY