This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (March 2024) |
Salishicetus Temporal range: Late Oligocene
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Infraorder: | Cetacea |
Family: | †Aetiocetidae |
Genus: | †Salishicetus Peredo and Pyenson, 2018 |
Species: | †S. meadi
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Binomial name | |
†Salishicetus meadi Peredo and Pyenson, 2018
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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]