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Albertocetus

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Albertocetus
Temporal range: Rupelian
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Xenorophidae
Genus: Albertocetus
Uhen, 2008
Species:
A. meffordorum
Binomial name
Albertocetus meffordorum
Uhen, 2008

Albertocetus is an extinct genus of primitive odontocete cetacean from early Oligocene (Rupelian) marine deposits in North Carolina, and belonging to the family Xenorophidae.[1]

Description

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Albertocetus is a relatively small whale, measuring 1.82 metres (6.0 ft) long and weighing approximately 51–73 kilograms (112–161 lb).[2] It is distinguished from other xenorophids in having a large lacrimal bone, a steep ascending process of the maxilla, a short but present intertemporal constriction with a sagittal crest, and a tall median ridge on the premaxilla. The teeth were heterodont, and may have been polydont, because other xenorophids are polydont.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Uhen, M.D. (2008). "A new Xenorophus-like odontocete cetacean from the Oligocene of North Carolina and a discussion of the basal odontocete radiation". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 6 (4): 433–452. Bibcode:2008JSPal...6..433U. doi:10.1017/S1477201908002472. S2CID 86668273.
  2. ^ Boessenecker, Robert W.; Ahmed, Erum; Geisler, Jonathan H. (2017-11-08). "New records of the dolphin Albertocetus meffordorum (Odontoceti: Xenorophidae) from the lower Oligocene of South Carolina: Encephalization, sensory anatomy, postcranial morphology, and ontogeny of early odontocetes". PLOS ONE. 12 (11): e0186476. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1286476B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0186476. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 5695589. PMID 29117197.