Kekenodon
Genus of mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kekenodon is an extinct kekenodontid early whale from the Late Oligocene (Chattian) of New Zealand. Measuring 8–9 m (26–30 ft) long, it was a large raptorial whale which hunted marine mammals and penguins.[1] Although at times classified as a basilosaurid, mysticete, or odontocete, recent work suggests that it represents a phylogenetic intermediate form between Basilosauridae and Neoceti.
| Kekenodon Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
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| Teeth of Kekenodon onamata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | †Kekenodontidae Mitchell, 1989 |
| Genus: | †Kekenodon Hector, 1881 |
| Species | |
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Classification
Kekenodon was considered a member of the basilosaurid subfamily Dorudontinae in the classic monograph on Archaeoceti by Kellogg (1936).[2]
"Squalodon" gambierensis from Australia is a close relative of Kekenodon.[3]
Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Kekenodon is the "latest-surviving archaeocete, sister-taxon to the Neoceti."[1]
