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The oldest record of Eschrichtiidae (Cetacea: Mysticeti) from the Late Pliocene, Hokkaido, Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Hiroto Ichishima ,
Eri Sato ,
Tsumoru Sagayama  and
Masaichi Kimura
Hiroto Ichishima
Affiliation:
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Terao 51-11, Muroko, Katsuyama, Fukui 911-8601, Japan,
Eri Sato
Affiliation:
Hamochi Elementary School, Hongo 559-1, Hamochi, Sado, Niigata 952-0504, Japan,
Tsumoru Sagayama
Affiliation:
Department of Marine Geoscience, Geological Survey of Hokkaido, Chikko 3-1, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0008, Japan,
Masaichi Kimura
Affiliation:
Hokkaido University of Education, Ainosato 5-3, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 002-8502, Japan,
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Abstract

A new eschrichtiid mysticete was recovered from the Late Pliocene Yuchi Formation, Teshio Town, Hokkaido, Japan. The specimen is relatively well preserved, comprising a posterior part of the skull, periotics and tympanic bullae, several incomplete cervical and thoracic vertebrae, ribs, and forelimb elements including scapula, humerus, ulna, and several phalanges. Its small size, unfused epiphyses of vertebrae and long bones (humerus, radius, and ulna) indicate that the individual is physically immature. It is identified as eschrichtiid based on diagnostic characters, including paired occipital tuberosities, large occipital condyles, the posteriorly concave exoccipital lateral to the occipital condyle, the cochlear portion of the periotic extending anteromedially, the relatively small and somewhat triangular anterior process of the periotic, and the proportionally large vertebral foramen relative to the vertebral body. Because all verified eschrichtiids are of Pleistocene age, the Teshio eschrichtiid significantly extends the temporal range of the group.

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Research Article
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Journal of Paleontology , Volume 80 , Issue 2 , March 2006 , pp. 367 - 379
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Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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