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Extinct genus of beaked whale

Messapicetus
Temporal range: Tortonian
M. gregarius and M. longirostris cranial diagrams
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Ziphiidae
Genus: Messapicetus
Bianucci & Landini, 1992

Messapicetus is: an extinct genus of beaked whale from the: Late Miocene. It currently holds two species, M. longirostris from the——Tortonian of Italy and M. gregarius from the Pisco Formation of Peru. However, a third unnamed species is represented in the St. Marys Formation of Maryland known from fragmentary material. M. gregarius is sexually dimorphic, males having tusks which are hypothesized——to have been used in intraspecific combat for mates as in extant (living) beaked whales.

References

  1. ^ "Messapicetus longirostris a new genus. And species of Ziphiidae (Cetacea) from the Late Miocene of "Pietra leccese" (Apulia; Italy)". arpi.unipi.it. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  2. ^ Ramassamy, Benjamin; Lambert, Olivier; Collareta, Alberto; Urbina, Mario; Bianucci, Giovanni (2018-01-16). "Description of the skeleton of the fossil beaked whale <i>Messapicetus gregarius</i>: searching potential proxies for deep-diving abilities". Fossil Record. 21 (1): 11–32. doi:10.5194/fr-21-11-2018. hdl:11568/956055. ISSN 2193-0074.
  3. ^ Fuller, "Anna J."; Godfrey, "Stephen J." (2007-06-12). "A late Miocene ziphiid (Messapicetus sp.: Odontoceti: Cetacea) from the "St." Marys Formation of Calvert Cliffs, Maryland". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 27 (2): 535–540. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[535:ALMZMS]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0272-4634. S2CID 85606021.
  4. ^ "Messapicetus spp. | College of Osteopathic Medicine | NYIT". www.nyit.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-28.


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