Organism · Placental mammals
Parapontoporia pacifica
Source time context (not species duration) · ≈ 7.2–5.3 Ma
Inferred life reconstruction
Parapontoporia pacifica
Overview
Parapontoporia pacifica is a fossil toothed whale known for an extremely long, slender snout. The skull of holotype UCR21244 anchors research on the species. Small bones in a long face allow comparisons among dolphins.[1][2]
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Key facts
Specimen catalogues record UCR21244 as the holotype of P. pacifica. Its head features can be compared while distinguishing it from specimens used in other analyses.[2]
Time and place
The holotype catalogue links it with the Almejas Formation on Cedros Island. Recorded fossil-bearing strata are summarized as late Miocene material roughly 7.2–5.3 million years old. Its long snout can be explored within its locality and time.[2][4]
The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.
Size, form and skeleton
Direct species-level evidence consists of the holotype skull and the author’s description of an extremely long, slender snout. The elongated front of the head can be considered as a connection of several bones. It also provides evidence for comparing dolphin relationships.[1][2]
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Habitat and reproduction
How are long-snouted dolphins related? Literature discusses differing family-level placements of Parapontoporia. Research extends comparisons from similar outlines to finer cranial features.[1]
Fossil discovery
Barnes described the long-snouted dolphin material in 1984. Holotype UCR21244 also appears in later catalogues and cranial plate descriptions. The same fossil continues as a comparative reference across publications.[3][2]
References
- Literature on the skull of Parapontoporia and its relationships with dolphins
- NOAA specimen catalogue — The Parapontoporia holotype
- Barnes (1984) — Description of a long-snouted dolphin
- Paleobiology Database — Age of fossil-bearing strata of Parapontoporia
- 2008 study — Fossil dolphins of the family Albireonidae
Research questions
How does the record of one skull continue across different publications? Read the holotype number, locality, and snout description together. Research follows links among names, forms, and specimens.[1][2]
Observation
Move your gaze from the tip of the long, slender snout toward the back of the head. Picture the bone connections within the broad outline to raise questions for comparing similar dolphins.[1]
Related organisms
Albireo whistleriPlacental mammalsSource time context (not species duration) · ≈ 8–6 MaDifferent bodies among whales
Explore the bodies of Parapontoporia and Albireo whistleri together. Parapontoporia: Parapontoporia pacifica is a fossil toothed whale with an extremely long, slender snout. Albireo whistleri: a fossil dolphin known from a nearly complete holotype skeleton.