Salishicetus

Salishicetus
Temporal range: Late Oligocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Aetiocetidae
Genus: Salishicetus
Peredo and Pyenson, 2018
Species:
S. meadi
Binomial name
Salishicetus meadi
Peredo and Pyenson, 2018

Salishicetus is an extinct genus of aetiocetid baleen whale from the Late Oligocene discovered in Washington state with one species: S. meadi. Like other ancient baleen whales, Salishicetus had teeth, and used these for either suction feeding or to catch large prey. The name refers to the Salish Sea, which it was found near, which itself honors the Salish tribes of the Pacific Northwest region.[1]

  1. ^ Peredo, C. M.; Pyenson, N. D. (2018). "Salishicetus meadi, a new aetiocetid from the late Oligocene of Washington State and implications for feeding transitions in early mysticete evolution". Royal Society Open Science. 5 (4). Bibcode:2018RSOS....572336P. doi:10.1098/rsos.172336. PMC 5936946. PMID 29765681.