Basic info Taxonomic history Classification Included Taxa
Morphology Ecology and taphonomy External Literature Search Age range and collections

Icaphoca

Osteichthyes - Carnivora - Phocidae

Taxonomy
Icaphoca was named by Dewaele and de Muizon (2025). Its type is Icaphoca choristodon.

It was assigned to Lobodontini by Dewaele and de Muizon (2025).

Species
I. choristodon (type species)
Entered
by M. Uhen on 2026-05-14; modified by M. Uhen on 2026-05-14

Synonymy list
YearName and author
2025Icaphoca Dewaele and de Muizon p. 468

Is something missing? Join the Paleobiology Database and enter the data

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
—Cladotheria
RankNameAuthor
—Zatheria
subclassTribosphenida()
subclassTheria
—Eutheria()
—Placentalia
—Boreoeutheria
—Laurasiatheria
—Scrotifera
—Ferae()
—Pancarnivora
—CarnivoramorphaWyss and Flynn 1993
—CarnivoraformesFlynn et al.
orderCarnivora
suborderCaniformiaKretzoi 1943
infraorderCanoidea(Simpson 1931)
superfamilyArctoideaFlower 1869
—Panpinnipedia
—Pinnipedimorpha
—Pinnipedia()
familyPhocidae()
subfamilyMonachinae
tribeLobodontiniGray 1869
genusIcaphoca

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.

G. †Icaphoca Dewaele and de Muizon 2025
show all | hide all
†Icaphoca choristodon Dewaele and de Muizon 2025
Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
L. Dewaele and C. de Muizon 2025Small to medium-sized lobodontin monachine, having an elongated rostrum, similar to, but not to the same extent as Acrophoca longirostris. Icaphoca choristodon n. gen., n. sp. is a lobodontin, based on the following unambiguous synapomorphies, as detailed by the phylogenetic analysis, below: a parasagittal orientation of the medial margins of the tympanic bullae; the presence of a lip in the anteromedial region of the mastoid, abutting the posteromedial edge of the tympanic bulla; and the transverse foramen of the atlas is at least partially visible in dorsal view. Icaphoca choristodon n. gen., n. sp. differs from all other monachine except Acrophoca longirostris in the presence of well-developed diastemata between all post-canine teeth, the diastema between P4 and M1 being distinctly larger. Icaphoca also shares with Acrophoca the anterior end of the maxillary process of the jugal reaching above or dorsomedially to the infraorbital foramen. It differs from Acrophoca in having six upper incisors as in Magophoca brevirostris, and Noriphoca gaudini (a condition, absent in all other monachines), in having a moderately inflated ectotympanic, and an atlas in which the transverse foramen is
visible in posterior view only.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: hydroxyapatiteuc
Ontogeny: modification of partsuc
Environment: marineuc
Locomotion: actively mobilec
Life habit: amphibiousuc
Diet: piscivoref
Diet 2: carnivoref
Reproduction: viviparousuc
Created: 2005-06-08 10:11:09
Modified: 2005-06-08 12:11:09
Source: f = family, c = class, uc = unranked clade
References: Hendy et al. 2009, Gingerich 2003, Carreño and Cronin 1993, Nowak 1991

Age range: Late/Upper Miocene or 11.63000 to 5.33300 Ma

Collections: one only


Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Late/Upper Miocene11.63 - 5.333Peru (Ica) I. choristodon (type locality: 45487)