Kekenodon Temporal range:
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Teeth of Kekenodon onamata | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Infraorder: | Cetacea |
Family: | †
Kekenodontidae Mitchell, 1989 |
Genus: | †
Kekenodon Hector, 1881 |
Species | |
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Kekenodon is an extinct kekenodontid early whale from the Late Oligocene ( Chattian) of New Zealand. Measuring 8–9 m (26–30 ft) long, it was a large raptorial whale which hunted marine mammals and penguins. [1] Although at times classified as a basilosaurid, mysticete, or odontocete, recent work suggests that it represents a phylogenetic intermediate form between Basilosauridae and Neoceti.
Kekenodon was considered a member of the basilosaurid subfamily Dorudontinae in the classic monograph on Archaeoceti by Kellogg (1936). [2]
"Squalodon" gambierensis from Australia is a close relative of Kekenodon. [3]
Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Kekenodon is the "latest-surviving archaeocete, sister-taxon to the Neoceti." [1]
Kekenodon Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
![]() | |
Teeth of Kekenodon onamata | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Infraorder: | Cetacea |
Family: | †
Kekenodontidae Mitchell, 1989 |
Genus: | †
Kekenodon Hector, 1881 |
Species | |
|
Kekenodon is an extinct kekenodontid early whale from the Late Oligocene ( Chattian) of New Zealand. Measuring 8–9 m (26–30 ft) long, it was a large raptorial whale which hunted marine mammals and penguins. [1] Although at times classified as a basilosaurid, mysticete, or odontocete, recent work suggests that it represents a phylogenetic intermediate form between Basilosauridae and Neoceti.
Kekenodon was considered a member of the basilosaurid subfamily Dorudontinae in the classic monograph on Archaeoceti by Kellogg (1936). [2]
"Squalodon" gambierensis from Australia is a close relative of Kekenodon. [3]
Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Kekenodon is the "latest-surviving archaeocete, sister-taxon to the Neoceti." [1]