Squalodelphinidae Explained

Squalodelphinidae is a family of primitive platanistoid river dolphins, found in marine deposits in the eastern Pacific, western Atlantic, and Europe.[1]

Description

Distinguishing features of Squalodelphinidae include a moderately elongated and tapered rostrum, posterior cheek teeth being single-rooted but retaining accessory denticles, and marked skull asymmetry. Members of the family can be differentiated from the South Asian river dolphin by their shorter rostrum.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fossilworks: Squalodelphinidae. fossilworks.org.
  2. O. Lambert, G. Bianucci, and M. Urbina. 2014. Huaridelphis raimondii, a new early Miocene Squalodelphinidae (Cetacea, Odontoceti) from the Chilcatay Formation, Peru. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(5):987-1004