Peripolocetus
Extinct genus of mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peripolocetus is a genus of balaenid baleen whale from the middle Miocene of Kern County, California.[1]
| Peripolocetus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Balaenidae |
| Genus: | †Peripolocetus Kellogg, 1931 |
| Species | |
|
†P. vexillifer Kellogg, 1931 | |
Classification
Like other non-balaenopteroid thalassotheres, Peripolocetus was classified as a cetotheriid in the past. When named by American zoologist Remington Kellogg in 1931, it was assigned to Cetotheriidae,[2] an opinion followed by subsequent authors.[3][4][5] However, it was assigned to Mysticeti incertae sedis by one source,[1] and a cladistic analysis of Herpetocetus morrowi recovered Peripolocetus as a member of Balaenoidea.[6] The assignment of Peripolocetus to Balaenoidea was further reinforced by a new specimen from the type locality at Sharktooth Hill Bonebed.[7]
