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Tiucetus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tiucetus
Temporal range: Tortonian
~11–9 Ma
Holotype skull in lateral view
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Cetotheriidae
Genus: Tiucetus
Marx, Lambert & De Muizon 2017

Tiucetus is an extinct genus of cetotheriid baleen whale known from the Late Miocene Pisco Formation of Peru.

Description

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Tiucetus is distinct from other cetotheriids in having a squamosal cleft; from eomysticetids in having comparatively short nasals, a more anteriorly projected supraoccipital and parietal, and a tympanic bulla that is rotated so that the inner posterior prominence faces dorsally.[1]

Classification

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Tiucetus falls basally in Cetotheriidae, less derived than Joumocetus and Cephalotropis.

Palaeogeography

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Other marine mammals found in the Pisco Formation include another cetotheriid, Piscobalaena, the odd dolphin Odobenocetops, the killer sperm whale Acrophyseter, the long-necked seal Acrophoca, and aquatic sloth Thalassocnus.

References

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  1. ^ Marx, F., Lambert, O., de Muizon, C. 2017. A new Miocene baleen whale from Peru deciphers the dawn of cetotheriids. Royal Society Open Science. doi: 10.1098/rsos.170560