Valenictus Explained

Valenictus is an extinct genus of Odobenidae from the Pliocene of California.

Discovery and naming

Valenictus sheperdi was discovered in 2024 from the Purisima Formation in Santa Cruz, California.^[1] The fossil was discovered by thirteen-year old, amateur paleontologist Forrest Sheperd, from whom the specific name is derived.^[2]

Description

Valenictus is related to the modern-day walrus, but lacked all teeth both in the lower and upper jaw except for the two tusks.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Boessenecker . Robert W. . Poust . Ashley W. . Boessenecker . Sarah J. . Churchill . Morgan . 2023-05-04 . Tusked walruses (Carnivora: Odobenidae) from the Miocene–Pliocene Purisima Formation of Santa Cruz, California (U.S.A.): a new species of the toothless walrus Valenictus and the oldest records of Odobeninae and Odobenini . Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology . en . 43 . 3 . 10.1080/02724634.2023.2296567 . 0272-4634.
2. News: Bindman . Ariana . 2024-02-01 . Striking fossil found along California coast reveals new mammal species . 2024-11-01 . SF Gate.
3. Web site: Walrus . The Nat . San Diego Museum of Natural History . 5 June 2022 . en.