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Brabocetus gigaseorum

Osteichthyes - Cetacea - Phocoenidae

Taxonomy
Brabocetus gigaseorum was named by Colpaert et al. (2015) [missing periotics and bull]. Its type specimen is IRSNB M. 2171, a partial skull, and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Beverentunnel, which is in a Zanclean marine sandstone in the Kattendijk Formation of Belgium. It is the type species of Brabocetus.

Synonymy list
YearName and author
2015Brabocetus gigaseorum Colpaert et al. p. 2 figs. Figs. 2, 3, 5-7

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
Bilateria
EubilateriaAx 1987
Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
classOsteichthyes
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
Tetrapoda
Reptiliomorpha
Anthracosauria
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
Cotylosauria()
Amniota
subclassSynapsida
Therapsida()
infraorderCynodontia()
Mammaliamorpha
Mammaliaformes
classMammalia
RankNameAuthor
Cladotheria
Zatheria
subclassTribosphenida()
subclassTheria
Eutheria()
Placentalia
Boreoeutheria
Laurasiatheria
Scrotifera
Euungulata
Artiodactylamorpha
Artiodactyla()
Whippomorpha
orderCetacea
Pelagiceti
Neoceti
suborderOdontoceti
infraorderDelphinida
superfamilyDelphinoidea
familyPhocoenidae()
genusBrabocetus
speciesgigaseorum

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.

Brabocetus gigaseorum Colpaert et al. 2015
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Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
W. Colpaert et al. 2015Brabocetus gigaseorum sp. nov. has a cranium intermediate in size between that of the extant species Neophocaena phocaenoides and Phocoenoides dalli. It differs from all other phocoenids except Septemtriocetus in having a frontal boss that is longer than wide. It differs from all other phocoenids except Haborophocoena in the anteromedial sulcus being shorter than the posteromedial sulcus. It possibly differs from all extinct phocoenids except Miophocaena in the presence of an additional longitudinal sulcus across the premaxillary eminences. It differs from all phocoenids except Haborophocoena, Miophocaena, Piscolithax tedfordi, and Septemtriocetus, in that the level of the anterior margin of the bony nares is in line with the postorbital process of the frontal; from all other phocoenids except Haborophocoena, Miophocaena, Neophocaena, Piscolithax tedfordi, and Septemtriocetus in that the first anterior dorsal infraorbital foramen is distinctly posterior to the antorbital notch; from Haborophocoena, Miophocaena, Numataphocoena, Piscolithax spp., Pterophocaena, Semirostrum, and Septemtriocetus in the anterolaterally widely-open antorbital notch, not laterally limited by an extension of the antorbital process; and from extant phocoenids in a more pronounced asymmetry of the vertex, with medial sutures more distinctly shifted to the left side. It further differs from the other North Sea fossil phocoenid Septemtriocetus in that it possesses: an anteriorly longer pterygoid sinus fossa, reaching the level of the antorbital notch; a higher premaxillary eminence, overhanging the posterolateral sulcus; a significantly transversely narrower frontal boss; a lower, not dorsally pointed temporal fossa; a deeper and longer squamosal fossa; and a postglenoid process of the squamosal being thickened in lateral view.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: hydroxyapatitesubo
Form: roller-shapedo
Ontogeny: modification of partso
Environment: marine, freshwatersubo
Locomotion: actively mobileo
Life habit: aquatico
Depth habitat: surfaceo
Diet: piscivoref
Reproduction: viviparoussubo
Created: 2005-06-08 10:11:09
Modified: 2005-06-08 12:11:09
Source: f = family, subo = suborder, o = order
References: Nowak 1991, Uhen 2004

Age range: Zanclean or 5.33300 to 3.60000 Ma

Collections: one only


Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Zanclean5.333 - 3.6Belgium Brabocetus gigaseorum (type locality: 167733)