New Archaeocetes (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Middle Eocene Domanda Formation of Sulaiman Range, Punjab (Pakistan)
Year: 1995
Type: article
Abstract: Three new archawcetes of late early Lutetian are described from the Domanda Formation of the Sulaiman Range in southwestern Punjab, Pakistan.Two are protocetids: Takracetus simus is distinctive in having a broad rostrum with large anterior teeth and relatively small molars; Gaviacerus razai is distinctive in having a very narrow rostrum.The type specimen of G. razai includes a Protocetus-like single-centrum sacrum.The third new archaeocete, Dalanistes ahmedi, is a large remingtonocetid preserving much of the skull, including distinctive exoccipitals.Dalanistes, like Remingtonocetus, retains a long neck, robust fused sacrum, and large hind limb.Protocetids differ from remingtonocetids in many cranial characteristics and in the postcranial skeleton, where 'caudalization' of the sacrum and reduction of the hind limb presage tail-powered swimming modifications enhanced in later archaeocetes and modern whales.
Language: English
Subfield: Paleontology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: University of Michigan
OpenAlex ID: W189603052