Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
EU Network of Excellence

 
Main Menu

· Home
· Contacts
· Data Systems
· Documents
· FAQ
· Links
· MarBEF Open Archive
· Network Description
· Outreach
· Photo Gallery
· Quality Assurance
· Register of Resources
· Research Projects
· Rules and Guidelines
· Training
· Wiki
· Worldconference

 

Register of Resources (RoR)

 People  |  Datasets  |  Literature  |  Institutes  |  Projects 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [256659]
A new early Pliocene species of Mesoplodon: a calibration mark for the radiation of this species-rich beaked whale genus
Lambert, O.; Louwye, S. (2016). A new early Pliocene species of Mesoplodon: a calibration mark for the radiation of this species-rich beaked whale genus. J. Vertebr. Paleontol. 36(2): e1055754. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2015.1055754
In: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: Norman, Okla.. ISSN 0272-4634; e-ISSN 1937-2809
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Lambert, O.
  • Louwye, S.

Abstract
    Including at least 15 extant species, the beaked whale genus Mesoplodon (Cetacea, Odontoceti, Ziphiidae) is by far the most species-rich cetacean genus. Such a high diversity reflects one or several pulses of radiation, most likely involving a sexual selection mechanism affecting shape, size, and position of mandibular tusks. However, the tempo of this diversification is currently poorly constrained due to the scarce fossil record. Based on the reassessment of five partial skulls discovered in Antwerp (north of Belgium), a new fossil species of the genus Mesoplodon, M. posti, sp. nov., is described. Only the second fossil species of the genus currently recognized, it is characterized (among other features) by: transverse sections of the rostrum higher than wide (a feature proposed to correspond to the presence of lower tusks more posterior than the apex of the mandibles); the presence of a basirostral groove at the rostrum base; pentagonal joined nasals; the posterior projection of the premaxilla in the vertex shorter than the nasal backward; and a strong transverse compression of the frontals behind the nasals. Our phylogenetic analysis results in M. posti being nested among extant species of Mesoplodon. Palynological study of the organic-walled phytoplankton from sediment retained in cranial cavities of several specimens indicates an age between 4.86 and 3.9 Ma (Zanclean, early Pliocene). Constituting the first temporally well-constrained fossil species of Mesoplodon, M. posti provides an upper calibration point for the beginning of the radiation(s), having produced a surprisingly high number of extant species in this genus.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors 


If any information here appears to be incorrect, please contact us
Back to Register of Resources
 
Quick links

MarBEF WIKI

Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (EMBC)
Outreach

Science
Responsive Mode Programme (RMP) - Marie Nordstrom, copyright Aspden Rebecca

WoRMS
part of WoRMS logo

ERMS 2.0
Epinephelus marginatus Picture: JG Harmelin

EurOBIS

Geographic System

Datasets

 


Web site hosted and maintained by Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) - Contact data-at-marbef.org