Pomatodelphis is an extinct genus of river dolphin from Middle Miocene marine deposits in Alabama, Florida, Brazil, Germany and France.[1]
Etymology
Pomatodelphis may be a typo for potamodelphis ("river dolphin")[2] from potamo-, "river", and δελφίς, delphis "dolphin".
Classification
Pomatodelphis belongs to the platanistid subfamily Pomatodelphininae, which is distinguished from the South Asian river dolphin in having a flattened rostrum, a transversely expanded posterior end of the premaxilla, an eye and bony orbit of normal size (not atrophied), and nasal bones not reduced in size but wide transversely. A close relative of Pomatodelphis is Prepomatodelphis from marine deposits in Austria. Three species are known, P. inaequalis, P. bobengi, and P. stenorhynchus.[3]
Fossil distribution
Fossils of Pomatodelphis have been found in:[1][2]
^ abManz, Carly (31 March 2017). "Pomatodelphis inaequalis". Florida Museum of Natural History. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
^Barnes, L.G., 2006. A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Superfamily Platanistoidea (Mammalia, Cetacea, Odontoceti). Beitr. Palaont., 30:25-42.