Chonecetus is an extinct genus of primitive baleen whale of the family Aetiocetidae[1] that lived in the Oligocene period.[2] Its fossils have been found in Canada,[3] in the northeast Pacific.[4] It was first named by L.S. Russell in 1968, and contains one species, C. sookensis.

Chonecetus
Temporal range: Oligocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Aetiocetidae
Genus: Chonecetus
Russell (1968)
Type species
Chonecetus sookensis
Species
  • C. sookensis

Like Aetiocetus, Chonecetus possessed both multicusped teeth and the nutrient foramina required for baleen.[5] Chonecetus closely resembled a modern Mysticeti, with an elongate, streamlined body supporting a pair of paddle-shaped forelimbs, and a horizontal tail fluke strengthened by fibrous cartilage.[1]

Sister Taxa

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Cetacea, Indeterminate. Distribution of Animal Family Through Time". www.courtenaymuseum.ca. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  2. ^ Whales, Whaling, and Ocean Ecosystems; page 70. By James A. Estes, published 2007; University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-24884-8 Retrieved on July 1, 2020
  3. ^ "Data on the geographic and temporal distribution of cetacean genera". Paleo-Electronica.org. February 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  4. ^ "The Evolution of Cetaceans - Chapter Nine". The Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals; Aldemaro Romero. 2005. Retrieved 2008-07-01.[dead link]
  5. ^ Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology; page 62. By Annalisa Berta, James L. Sumich, and Kit M. Kovacs, published 2005; Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-088552-2 Retrieved on July 1, 2008.

Suggested further reading

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  • Marine Mammal Biology: An Evolutionary Approach By A. Rus Hoelzel. Published 2002 Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 0-632-05232-5
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