First eurhinodelphinid dolphin from the Paratethys reveals a new family of specialised echolocators

Author(s): Olivier Lambert, Gerhard Wanzenböck, Cathrin Pfaff, Stephen Louwye, Jürgen Kriwet, G. Marx Felix
Abstract: Eurhinodelphinids are a family of extremely long-snouted dolphins that once was widespread across the North Atlantic realm, but so far has not been recorded from the epicontinental Paratethys Sea. Here, we describe a new specimen of Xiphiacetus cristatus, including the cranium, left ear bones and a partial mandible, from the Middle Miocene (Badenian) of Austria. Our new fossil is the first record of this species outside the North Atlantic proper, and the first unequivocal record of eurhinodelphinids from the Paratethys. Its presence suggests a local invasion via the Mediterranean, and corroborates the persistence of an active marine gateway between the Mediterranean and the Central Paratethys throughout the Middle Miocene. Measurements of the bony labyrinth reveal that X. cristatus likely employed narrow-band high-frequency
echolocation, making eurhinodelphinids only the second extinct odontocete family with this trait. Marked non-orthogonality of the semicircular canals suggests that X. cristatus was unsuited to rapid head movements, and thus more likely a benthic forager than a snap feeder.
Organisation(s): Department of Palaeontology
External organisation(s): Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Ghent University , Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand, Independent researcher, University of Otago
Journal: Historical Biology
Volume: 35
Pages: 1074-1091
No. of pages: 18
ISSN: 0891-2963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2022.2077645
Publication date: 06-2023
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 105118 Palaeontology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas: General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/192099b6-91b1-463c-9a52-992dece586b4

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