Archaeophocaena

Archaeophocaena
Temporal range: Late Miocene 6.4–5.5 Ma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Phocoenidae
Genus: †Archaeophocaena
Murakami, Shimada, Hikida, and Hirano, 2012
Species:
†A. teshioensis
Binomial name
†Archaeophocaena teshioensis
Murakami, Shimada, Hikida, and Hirano, 2012

Archaeophocaena teshioensis is a species of extinct porpoise from the Late Miocene Koetoi Formation of Japan living around 6.4–5.5 million years ago (mya). The holotype specimen comprises a partial skull. The animal, along with Miophocaena and Pterophocaena, seem to represent an intermediary phase between porpoises and dolphins. The genus name derives from Ancient Greek archaeo, "ancient," and Latin phocaena, "porpoise"; the species name honors the Teshio District where the holotype was discovered.[1]

References

  1. ^ Murakami, M.; Shimada, C.; Hikida, Y.; Hirano, H. (2012). "Two new extinct basal phocoenids (Cetacea, Odontoceti, Delphinoidea), from the upper Miocene Koetoi Formation of Japan and their phylogenetic significance". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 32 (5): 1172–1185. Bibcode:2012JVPal..32.1172M. doi:10.1080/02724634.2012.694337. S2CID 84268028.


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