<i>Fragilicetus velponi</i>: a new mysticete genus and species and its implications for the origin of Balaenopteridae (Mammalia, Cetacea, Mysticeti)

Bisconti, Michelangelo; Bosselaers, Mark

doi:10.1111/zoj.12370

Cited by 28 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(120 reference statements)

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“…A more taxonomically restricted trait present exclusively in balaenopterids, including I. anillodefuego , is the presence of a broad, abruptly depressed supraorbital process with a thickened, posteriorly rounded postorbital ridge that may act as a pulley for the well-developed temporalis muscle [7,64]. In agreement with another recent study on rorqual evolution [55], we interpret the presence of this morphology as a potential indicator of lunge feeding, and thus suggest that Incakujira likely also employed this strategy.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…Balaenopterid phylogeny is vexed by marked contradictions between molecular and morphological analyses, as well as often inconsistent results across different morphological studies. Morphological data generally support a monophyletic Balaenopteridae to the exclusion of grey whales (Eschrichtiinae, following [15,54]), as well as a monophyletic extant Balaenoptera to the exclusion of M. novaeangliae [55–58]. Specifically, characters potentially supporting Balaenoptera include a posteriorly widening, squared ascending process of the maxilla (shared with Diunatans ); fusion of the anterior process of the malleus to the dorsomedial corner of the sigmoid process of the bulla; an elongate, triangular postorbital process broadly abutting the zygomatic process of the squamosal; and the presence of a squamosal crease.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A new Miocene baleen whale from the Peruvian desert

Marx

Kohno

2016

R. Soc. open sci.

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The Pisco-Ica and Sacaco basins of southern Peru are renowned for their abundance of exceptionally preserved fossil cetaceans, several of which retain traces of soft tissue and occasionally even stomach contents. Previous work has mostly focused on odontocetes, with baleen whales currently being restricted to just three described taxa. Here, we report a new Late Miocene rorqual (family Balaenopteridae), Incakujira anillodefuego gen. et sp. nov., based on two exceptionally preserved specimens from the Pisco Formation exposed at Aguada de Lomas, Sacaco Basin, southern Peru. Incakujira overall closely resembles modern balaenopterids, but stands out for its unusually gracile ascending process of the maxilla, as well as a markedly twisted postglenoid process of the squamosal. The latter likely impeded lateral (omega) rotation of the mandible, in stark contrast with the highly flexible craniomandibular joint of extant lunge-feeding rorquals. Overall, Incakujira expands the still meagre Miocene record of balaenopterids and reveals a previously underappreciated degree of complexity in the evolution of their iconic lunge-feeding strategy.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new Miocene baleen whale from the Peruvian desert

Marx

Kohno

2016

R. Soc. open sci.

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“…Another example is the unnamed Belgian specimen, IRSNB M. 1922, which was recovered from the lower Pliocene Kattendijk Formation, 5.0–4.4 Ma (De Schepper et al . , a ; Bisconti & Bosselaers ), which contains a diverse vertebrate fauna, including shark, cetacean and bird remains (Herman et al . ; Martin et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First monodontid cetacean (Odontoceti, Delphinoidea) from the early Pliocene of the north‐western Pacific Ocean

Ichishima

Furusawa

Makino

et al. 2018

Papers in Palaeontology

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Monodontids are among the most enigmatic cetaceans due to their scarcity in the fossil record. Previously, except for fragmentary materials, only three skulls were known from the pre‐Pleistocene; these came from the east coast of the Pacific and both east and west coasts of the Atlantic. Haborodelphis japonicus, a new early Pliocene monodontid cetacean from the north‐west Pacific, significantly expands the palaeobiogeographical extent of the ancestral monodontids. The new taxon differs from all other monodontids in the following character states: the robust postorbital process for the skull size; the short rostrum relative to the whole skull length; the anterior dorsal infraorbital foramina posterior to the level of the antorbital notch; the premaxillary foramen on the level of the antorbital notch; the dorsally gently convex premaxillary sac fossa; the palatines wedged into the maxillae anteriorly on the midline; and the presence of the clearly excavated posteromedial sulcus. Monodontids were almost certainly adapted to warmer waters than their living counterparts Delphinapterus leucas and Monodon monoceros, both of which are confined to the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. However, closer inspection (based mainly on fossil invertebrates) of the palaeoenvironments from which the monodontid fossils were produced, reveals that they may have preferred cooler conditions than previously thought. Due to the short climatic fluctuation cycles during the Pliocene in the northern hemisphere, and the increase of heterogeneity and regionality of the coastal environments, the dating of layers within a formation is critical for understanding palaeoenvironment in terms of the sea surface temperatures.

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“…The comparative analysis is based on the following references; extant balaenopterids (Ekdale et al, 2011), cf. Plesiobalaenoptera (Govender et al, 2016), Plesiobalaenoptera (Bisconti, 2010), Incakujira (Marx and Kohno, 2016), Fragilicetus (Bisconti and Bosselaers, 2016), Parietobalaena (Kellogg, 1969a), Pelocetus (Kellogg, 1969a) Uranocetus (Steeman, 2009), 'Balaenoptera' borealina (Van Beneden, 1882; Whitmore and Kalten-FIGURE 2. Tympanic bulla of 'Balaenoptera' borealina (SAM-PQMBD-81).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plesiobalaenoptera and Plesiobalaenoptera. BALAENOPTERIDAE Gray, 1864 FRAGILICETUS Bisconti andBosselaers, 2016 Fragilicetus sp. Table 3).…”

Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Fossil cetaceans from Duinefontein (Koeberg) an early Pliocene site on the southwestern Cape, South Africa

Govender

2019

Palaeontol Electron

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Koeberg is a Zanclean, subsurface locality on the west coast of South Africa, which was unearthed during the excavations of the Koeberg Power Station foundations. Mysticetes and odontocetes have been identified from this locality ca. 12 m below the surface. The preservational nature prevents species level identification in some instances. The balaenopterids are represented by specimens assigned to 'Balaenoptera' borealina, Diunatans sp. 1 and Fragilicetus sp. while other specimens are only identified as balaenopterids. The odontocetes have been referred to Odontoceti indet. (possibly delphinids), a beaked whale (cf. Izikoziphius) and a single phocoenid, cf. Australithax. There is undescribed odontocetes most likely physeterids. The balaenopterids and odontocetes suggest a connection of the west coast of

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Fragilicetus velponi: a new mysticete genus and species and its implications for the origin of Balaenopteridae (Mammalia, Cetacea, Mysticeti)

Cited by 28 publications

References 47 publications

A new Miocene baleen whale from the Peruvian desert

A new Miocene baleen whale from the Peruvian desert

First monodontid cetacean (Odontoceti, Delphinoidea) from the early Pliocene of the north‐western Pacific Ocean

Fossil cetaceans from Duinefontein (Koeberg) an early Pliocene site on the southwestern Cape, South Africa

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