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Tutcetus
Taxonomy
Tutcetus was named by Antar et al. (2023). Its type is Tutcetus rayanensis.
It was assigned to Basilosauridae by Antar et al. (2023).
It was assigned to Basilosauridae by Antar et al. (2023).
Species
T. rayanensis (type species)
Synonymy list
| Year | Name and author |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Tutcetus Antar et al. p. 2 |
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If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.
Diagnosis
| Reference | Diagnosis | |
|---|---|---|
| M. S. Antar et al. 2023 | The specimen was assigned to the family Basilosauridae based on the presence of multiple accessory cusps on the cheek teeth and well-developed pterygoid sinuses around the auditory region. Tutcetus rayanensis differs from other basi- losaurids by its diminutive size (possibly the smallest known basilosaurid); it further differs in having a maxilla that abuts most of the lateral sides of the nasal, leaving only a small anterior portion of the nasal to articulate with the ascending process of the premaxilla; the number of mesial and distal accessory cusps on the upper and lower premolars (mainly two mesially and three distally). Furthermore, the premolars of Tutcetus rayanensis are more gracile than those of any other known basilosaurid and have extremely smooth enamel, and the fourth premolar (P44) is the largest tooth in both the upper and lower jaws. Tutcetus rayanensis lacks replacement of the first premolar. The Supplementary Information provides a more detailed diagnosis (Supplementary Note 1). |