In Depth The change from a terrestrial to more aquatic life that began with Pakicetus through Ambulocetus continued with the further developments of Protocetus. The front limbs still had webbed toes, but the rear limbs were already greatly reduced in size to the point of them being vestigial. The caudal vertebrae towards the end of … Read more
In Depth Originally described as a species of Gaviacetus, Kharodacetus is a genus of protocetid whale known to have inhabited the coastal waters of India during the Eocene. Further Reading - Protocetid cetaceans (Mammalia) from the Eocene of India. - Palaeontologia Electronica 17 (3, 34A): 19 p. - Sunil Bajpai & J. G. M. Thewissen … Read more
In Depth Just one of many primitive whale forms from Pakistan, Takracetus is related to other primitive forms such as Rodhocetus and Protocetus amongst others. Further Reading Further reading- New archaeocetes (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Middle Eocene Domanda Formation of the Sulaiman Range, Punjab (Pakistan). – Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan … Read more
In Depth The name Maiacetus means ‘good mother whale’ and this is a reference to the fact that the holotype of Maiacetus was composed of a skull with post cranial skeletal remains, and inside of the post cranial skeleton there appears to be the remains of a fossilised foetus. If this interpretation is correct then … 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