Echovenator ("echolocation hunter") is a genus of primitive odontocete from late Oligocene (Chattian) marine deposits in South Carolina. It belongs to the Xenorophidae.[1]

Echovenator
Temporal range: Late Oligocene, 28.4–23.0 Ma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Xenorophidae
Genus: Echovenator
Churchill et al., 2016
Species:
E. sandersi
Binomial name
Echovenator sandersi
Churchill et al., 2016

Description and paleobiology

edit

Echovenator is distinguishable from other xenorophids in having a paranaris fossa and fused fronto-nasal and maxillo-premaxillary sutures.[2] The earbone structure shows that this odontocete was clearly capable of echolocation.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ Lazaro, Enrico de (2016-08-08). "Echovenator sandersi: Oligocene Whale Had Ultrasonic Hearing | Paleontology | Sci-News.com". Sci.News: Breaking Science News. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  2. ^ a b Churchill, M.; Martinez-Caceres, M.; et al. (2016). "The origin of high-frequency hearing in whales". Current Biology. 26 (16): 2144–2149. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2016.06.004. PMID 27498568..