Hesperocetus californicus True, 1912
Systematics: Mammalia Artiodactyla Cetacea Inioidea (?)
Size: 3 m long
Type Horizon and Locality: Late Miocene, Upper San Pablo Group (Clarendonian) Contra Costa County, California, US
Type Specimen: UCMP 1352, mandibular fragment and isolated teeth
Hesperocetus ("Western whale") is a little known toothed whale from the Late Miocene of California. The species Hesperocetus californicus has been described by Frederick W. True in 1912 from a fragmentary mandible and isolated teeth found in marine deposits near the town of Rodeo, on the San Pablo Bay. It is most probably either from the Cierbo or the Neroly Formation of the San Pablo Group. It is generally believed to be related to the modern Amazon River Dolphin, although the remains are too fragmentary to be sure.
October 20, 2019
References:
F. W. True. 1912. A fossil toothed cetacean from California representing a new genus and species. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collection 60(11):1-7
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