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A Basilosaurid Archaeocete (Cetacea, Pelagiceti) From The Late Eocene Of Oregon, Usa, Mark D. Uhen, David Taylor

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Basilosaurid archaeocetes are known from the Late Eocene of virtually all coastlines bearing coeval marine rocks except the North Pacific Basin, until now. Here we report on three consecutive posterior thoracic vertebrae of a large, basilosaurid archaeocete from a Late Eocene horizon in the Keasey Formation in Oregon.

Methods: These vertebrae were morphologically and morphometrically compared to other vertebrae of similar age from around the world.

Results: The specimens were determined to be different from all currently named species of fossil cetacean, but most similar to those found in the Gulf Coast region of North America. …