Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: 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.
SUBMITTER: Uhen MD
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7534682 | biostudies-literature | 2020
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
PeerJ 20201002
<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>These vertebrae were morphologically and morphometrically compared to other vertebrae of similar age from around the world.<h4>Results</h4>The spe ...[more]