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Aetiocetidae
Aetiocetids
4
Number of resurrected species:
Family
Order
Class
Aetiocetidae
Artiodactyla
Mammalia
Description
The Aetiocetidae is a family of extinct toothed baleen whales that lived during the Oligocene epoch of North America, Asia and (possible) Oceania. These primitive whales possessed both teeth and baleens; a transitional phase to modern-day baleen whales. Their feeding strategy is still discussed, but they possible used a bulk-feeding strategy, rather than a bite-and-swallow strategy.
Distribution & Fossil evidence
Fossils of Aetiocetids have been found around the Pacific Ocean, but mainly at the Japanese Morawan Formation. Many, almost complete, skulls have been found so far. In many of these skulls and jaws, the presence of both teeth and baleens have been proved.
Species
Their are several genera within this family, but a few are still debated. Many of these genera are represented with several species each.
Included genera
Aetiocetus, Salishicetus, Chonecetus, Fucaia
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