Supayacetus Temporal range: Middle Eocene
| |
---|---|
Life reconstruction of Supayacetus. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Infraorder: | Cetacea |
Family: | †Basilosauridae |
Genus: | †Supayacetus Uhen et al. 2011 |
Species: | †S. muizoni
|
Binomial name | |
†Supayacetus muizoni |
Supayacetus is an extinct genus of basilosaurid cetacean from the Middle Eocene (Bartonian stage) Paracas Formation of Peru. It has been noted for its relatively small size and basal morphology, with the sternum bearing close resemblance to those of protocetids. Due to this, it has been traditionally placed as one of the basalmost basilosaurids, except for a 2023 study that places it within the family Pachycetinae close to Neoceti. Supayacetus is monotypic, meaning the genus includes only a single species: S. muizoni.