In Depth Baguatherium was has been classed as a member of the Pyrotheriidae, meaning that the genus was related to mammals like Pyrotherium. Baguatherium would have been a heavy set quadrupedal herbivore that would feed upon low growing vegetation. The incisors in the mouth were enlarged and projected forwards out of the mouth, probably as … Read more
In Depth Out of all the creodonts Machaeroides is one of the most unique since it possess enlarged canine teeth similar to the sabre teeth that are commonly associated with the sabre-toothed cats of the Pliocene/Pleistocene eras. The presence of Machaeroides in North America is a clear indication that the creodonts were adapting to fulfil … Read more
In Depth Further Reading – Temporal variation in tooth fracture among Rancho La Brea dire wolves. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22 (2): 423. – W. J. Binder, E. N. Thompson & B. Van Valkenburgh – 2002. – Sexual dimorphism, social behavior, and intrasexual competition in large Pleistocene carnivorans. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22: … Read more
In Depth Tokarahia is a genus of whale that lived in the waters around New Zealand during the Oligocene. Further Reading - A new genus and species of eomysticetid (Cetacea: Mysticeti) and a reinterpretation of ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus Marples, 1956: Transitional baleen whales from the upper Oligocene of New Zealand. - Zoological Journal of the Linnean … Read more
In Depth Stromerius is a genus of basilosaurid whale that has been discovered in the world famous fossil deposits of Egypt, some of which are well known for turning up the fossils of whales. Unfortunately the harsh environmental conditions there can quickly erode exposed fossils, and as for the case of Stromerius, only some of … Read more
In Depth Georgiacetus is one of the most primitive whale genera to be discovered in the United States, with the holotype fossils discovered in the state of Georgia during the construction of a nuclear power station. New fossil material discovered in 2008 resulted in confirmation that Georgiacetus did not have a fluked tail like modern … Read more
In Depth Megantereon has a popular standing within the realm of big cat palaeontology as it is thought by many to be the ancestor to the considerably more famous Smilodon (often incorrectly dubbed the Sabre-toothed tiger). Megantereon itself is often referred to as a dirk toothed cat because while the upper canines are enlarged, they … Read more
In Depth Willungacetus is both the oldest whale known from Australia, and the only member of the Aetiocetidae whale group. Willungacetus may have had teeth like other early whales, but other members of the group like Chonecetus had begun to develop baleen at roughly the same time that Willungacetus was swimming the oceans. Further fossil … Read more
In Depth At the time of the genus description Coronodon caused a lot of excitement, as this genus represent one of the oldest baleen whales in the fossil record. Baleen whales, also known as mystecetids, certainly had ancestors that were active predators of other sea creatures. The teeth of Coronodon are shaped in such a … Read more
In Depth Once described as a new species of Protocetus, the holotype remains were elevated to genus level in 1975. Although a different genus, Andrewsiphius would have still been a primitive toothed whale form similar to the more famous Protocetus. The rear limbs would still have been visible on the outside of the body, while … Read more