Origin of whales from early artiodactyls: Hands and feet of eocene Protocetidae from Pakistan

被引:216
作者
Gingerich, PD
ul Haq, M
Zalmout, IS
Khan, IH
Malkani, MS
机构
[1] Univ Michigan, Dept Geol Sci, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
[2] Univ Michigan, Museum Paleontol, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
[3] Geol Survey Pakistan, Quetta, Pakistan
[4] Univ New Hampshire, Dept Earth Sci, Durham, NH 03824 USA
关键词
D O I
10.1126/science.1063902
中图分类号
O [数理科学和化学]; P [天文学、地球科学]; Q [生物科学]; N [自然科学总论];
学科分类号
07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;
摘要
Partial skeletons of two new fossil whales, Artiocetus clavis and Rodhocetus balochistanensis, are among the oldest known protocetid archaeocetes. These came from early Lutetian age (47 million years ago) strata in eastern Balochistan Province, Pakistan. Both have an astragalus and cuboid in the ankle with characteristics diagnostic of artiodactyls; R. balochistanensis has virtually complete fore- and hind limbs. The new skeletons are important in augmenting the diversity of early Protocetidae, clarifying that Cetacea evolved from early Artiodactyla rather than Mesonychia and showing how early protocetids swam.
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收藏
页码:2239 / 2242
页数:4
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