Mixocetus

Mixocetus
Temporal range: Late Miocene, 11.6–10 Ma
Holotype skull, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Placentalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Superfamily: Balaenopteroidea
Family: †Tranatocetidae
Genus: †Mixocetus
Kellogg, 1934
Species

†M. elysius Kellogg, 1934 (type)

Mixocetus is a genus of extinct baleen whale belonging to the family Tranatocetidae. It is known only from the late Miocene (Tortonian) of Los Angeles County, California.[1][2]

Description

Mixocetus is a large-size mysticete with a long, narrow rostrum, a robust braincase, a nostril opening extending posteriorly just a few inches behind the antorbital processes, the posterior ends of the premaxillae, maxillae, and nasals tapering and extending posteriorly to a point between superior parts of supraorbital processes of the frontals, and a temporal fossa opening dorsally. Unlike Cetotherium, the antorbital process is larger, the lateral margins of the supraoccipital processes of the frontals are parallel to each other, there is a protruding lateral wall of the braincase, and the rear portion of the cranium has a very thick and posteriorly protruding exoccipital.[3]

Taxonomy

The holotype of this species is LACM 882. It was collected from the Modelo Formation (early Tortonian, 10-11.6 Ma) of Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles County, California. It now resides as a permanent exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park, Los Angeles.

References

  1. ^ R. Kellogg. 1934. A new cetothere from the Modelo Formation at Los Angeles, California. Carnegie Institution of Washington 447:83-104
  2. ^ V. Bouetel and C. Muizon. 2006. The anatomy and relationships of Piscobalaena nanna (Cetacea, Mysticeti), a Cetotheriidae s.s. from the early Pliocene of Peru. Geodiversitas 28(2):319-395
  3. ^ M. D. Uhen, R. E. Fordyce, and L. G. Barnes. 2008. Odontoceti. In C. M. Janis, K. M. Scott, and L. L. Jacobs (eds.), Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America II:566-606

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