A basilosaurid archaeocete (Cetacea, Pelagiceti) from the Late Eocene of Oregon, USA

PeerJ

article

Mark D. Uhen¹  David Taylor² 

[1] Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences, George Mason University;Department of Geology, Portland State University

关键词: Cetacea;    Biogeography;    Eocene;    Pacific Ocean;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.9809

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Background Basilosaurid archaeocetes are known from the Late Eocene of virtually all coastlines bearing coeval marine rocks except the North Pacific Basin, until now. Here we report on three consecutive posterior thoracic vertebrae of a large, basilosaurid archaeocete from a Late Eocene horizon in the Keasey Formation in Oregon. Methods These vertebrae were morphologically and morphometrically compared to other vertebrae of similar age from around the world. Results The specimens were determined to be different from all currently named species of fossil cetacean, but most similar to those found in the Gulf Coast region of North America. These vertebrae represent the first confirmed specimen of a Late Eocene basilosaurid from the North Pacific. These and other basilosaurids known only from vertebrae are reviewed here in the context of Late Eocene paleoceanography and cetacean evolution.

【 授权许可】

CC BY