Messapicetus
| Messapicetus Temporal range:
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|---|---|
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| M. gregarius and M. longirostris cranial diagrams | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Ziphiidae |
| Genus: | †Messapicetus Bianucci & Landini, 1992 |
Messapicetus is an extinct genus of beaked whale from the Late Miocene. It currently holds two species, M. longirostris from the Tortonian of Italy[1] and M. gregarius from the Pisco Formation of Peru.[2] However, a third unnamed species is represented in the St. Marys Formation of Maryland known from fragmentary material.[3] M. gregarius is sexually dimorphic, males having tusks which are hypothesized to have been used in intraspecific combat for mates as in extant (living) beaked whales.[4]
References
- ^ "Messapicetus longirostris a new genus and species of Ziphiidae (Cetacea) from the Late Miocene of "Pietra leccese" (Apulia; Italy)". arpi.unipi.it. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
- ISSN 2193-0074.
- S2CID 85606021.
- ^ "Messapicetus spp. | College of Osteopathic Medicine | NYIT". www.nyit.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-28.