Pacificotaria
Extinct genus of basal pinniped
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Pacificotaria is an extinct genus of basal pinnipediform that lived in Oregon during the early to middle Miocene epoch.[1] The only species of this genus is Pacificotaria hadromma making it a monotypic genus.[2]
| Pacificotaria Temporal range: Early-middle Miocene | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Clade: | Pinnipedimorpha |
| Clade: | Pinnipediformes |
| Genus: | †Pacificotaria Barnes, 1992 |
| Species: | †P. hadromma |
| Binomial name | |
| †Pacificotaria hadromma Barnes, 1992 | |
It is a possible junior synonym of Pteronarctos. However, it is distinguished from its protruding orbits that is positioned further anteriorly on the cranium, its larger bony nares, a robust rostrum, a vaulted palate, and straighter upper cheek tooth rows.[1]