Salishicetus
| Salishicetus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Placentalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | †Aetiocetidae |
| Genus: | †Salishicetus Peredo and Pyenson, 2018 |
| Species: | †S. meadi
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Salishicetus meadi Peredo and Pyenson, 2018
| |
Salishicetus is an extinct genus of aetiocetid baleen whale from the Late Oligocene discovered in Washington state with one species: S. meadi as well as partial material described as cf. S. sp. from the Late Oligocene or Early Miocene strata of the Vaqueros Formation in California.[1] Like other ancient baleen whales, Salishicetus had teeth, and used these for either suction feeding or to catch large prey. The name refers to the Salish Sea, which it was found near, which itself honors the Salish tribes of the Pacific Northwest region.[2]
References
- ^ Strauch, Rebecca J.; Pyenson, Nicholas D. (2026-03-11). "New evidence of a toothed mysticete from the Vaqueros Formation of California fills a gap in the palaeobiogeographic range of Aetiocetidae". Royal Society Open Science. 13 (3) 252108. Bibcode:2026RSOS...1352108S. doi:10.1098/rsos.252108. ISSN 2054-5703.
- ^ Peredo, C. M.; Pyenson, N. D. (2018). "Salishicetus meadi, a new aetiocetid from the late Oligocene of Washington State and implications for feeding transitions in early mysticete evolution". Royal Society Open Science. 5 (4). Bibcode:2018RSOS....572336P. doi:10.1098/rsos.172336. PMC 5936946. PMID 29765681.