Kuldana Formation

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Kuldana Formation
Stratigraphic range: Lutetian
Type Geological formation
Unit of Subathu Group
Underlies Kohat Formation
Overlies Ghazij, Shekhan & Chorgali Formations
Location
Location Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab, Pakistan
Coordinates 33°43′N72°10′E / 33.717°N 72.167°E / 33.717; 72.167
Approximate paleocoordinates 14°18′N68°42′E / 14.3°N 68.7°E / 14.3; 68.7
Region Kala Chitta Range
CountryFlag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Type section
Named forKuldana Village, Hazara District [1]
Named byLatif
Year defined1970
Pakistan relief location map.jpg
Yellow pog.svg
Kuldana Formation (Pakistan)

The Kuldana Formation is a fossil-bearing geological formation of Lutetian (Early Eocene) age which crops out in northern Pakistan. The abundant fossil remains were deposited by rivers and estuaries crossing an arid to semi-arid environment, between several marine transgressions. Its fossil fauna is best known for the early cetaceans Indohyus , Pakicetus and Ambulocetus , that helped to shed a new light on the evolution of whales, but it also features a large number of early ungulates, rodents and primates.

Contents

History

Fossils from the Kuldana Formation have been studied since long before the name was established, with some of the earliest papers being those of Pilgrim, published in 1940. At that point in time, the sediments were known as the Chharat beds. The name Kuldana Formation as such was first coined by Mir Abdul Latif in 1970, prior to which the sediments had already been known as the Kuldana Beds and Kuldana Series, deriving its name from a nearby village. Around the same time, Meissner and colleagues studied similar outcrops near the village of Mami Khel, 200 km (120 mi) southwest of Kuldana, naming it the Mami Khel Clay. Although study began prior to the publication of Latif's work, this paper was not published until later. Several subsequent papers comparing the two generally agreed that they were synonyms and represented a single geological formation, that being the Kuldana Formation. A 1996 publication by Pivnik and Wells meanwhile used the name Mami Khel Formation and Maas et al. (2001) treated the two as distinct formations primarily based on their geographic separation through the Indus River while providing no other indicators in how the two differed. Other studies treating the two formations as distinct include Leinders (1999) and Thewissen (2001). [1]

Geography

Outcrops of the Kuldana Formation are found in the form of isoclinal folds across northern Pakistan's Kohat plateau and Potwar plateau. The Formation stretches from Barbora and Mami Khel at the western edge of the Kohat plateau to the name-giving locality of Kuldana at the eastern end of the Potwar plateau. Between these points are a variety of other localities as well, such as Chorlakki, located within the eastern-most Kohat plateau, as well as Lammidhan and Ganda Kas (Kala Chitta) at the western end of the Potwar plateau. [1] [2]

Stratigraphy

While the stratigraphy within the Kuldana Formation is poorly understood, its relation to under- and overlying formations has been much better studied thanks to the succession being consistently visible across various localities. At Banda Daud Shah, the Kuldana Formation overlies the Ghazij Formation, the Shekhan Formation and the Jatta Gypsum. The Ghazij and Shekhan Formations also underlie the Kuldana Formation at Chrolakki while at Ganda Kas and Gali Jhagir the formation preceding the Kuldana was the Chorgali Formation. The Kohat Formation consistently overlies the Kuldana Formation. [1] [2]

Age

The age of the Kuldana Formation has been subject to repeated revision and multiple back and forths among researchers. Two early estimates, proposed by Cotter and Pilgrim respectively, suggested that the Kuldana Formation was either Ypresian (Early Eocene) or Lutetian (early Middle Eocene) in age, with subsequent authors generally following one of these hypothesis. After officially establishing the name Kuldana Formation, Latif suggested that the formation dates to the lower to middle Eocene on the basis of shallow benthic foramins, somewhat straddling the line between both the results of Cotter and Pilgrim. This would come to be the general result of subsequent papers as well, which often recovered an age within that general range. [1]

In 1983 Gingerich used the fact that the Kuldana Formation is preceded and followed by marine strata to compare it with then available maps of sea levels during the Eocene, arguing for a late Early Eocene age, once again falling into the convention established by prior work. Gingerich did however come to revise his 1983 age estimate in a paper published in 2003 that dealt with the stratigraphy observed across different localities in order to obtain a more reliable result. Another aim of this work was to provide counter arguments to some claims made around the turn of the century, when several papers claimed that the sediments at Mami Khel represented a distinct formation that dated to the early Early Eocene. To do so, foramins of underlying formations were used to establish a maximum age for the Kuldana strata. At Banda Daud Shah, Gingerich recovered a late Early Eocene to early Middl Eocene (P9 or P10) age based on the planktonic foraminifera of the underlying Shekhan Formation, with similar results being recovered based on shallow benthic foramins at Chorlakki, Ganda Kas and Gali Jhagir (all dated to SB12 to SB13). Gingerich further utilizes updated knowledge on global sea levels to find similar results. Unlike in 1983, Gingerich now recognized two distinct periods of low sea levels, one during the late Early Eocene and a second, longer-lasting period during the early Middle Eocene. Gingerich argues that, since only one terrestrial phase is observed within the stratigraphy of Eocene Pakistan, it is likely that the Kuldana Formation represents the longer period of low sea levels, placing it within the early Late Eocene. [1]

Paleoenvironment

Life reconstructions of Pakicetus inachus and Gujaratia pakistanensis. Diacodexis pakistanensis e.jpg
Life reconstructions of Pakicetus inachus and Gujaratia pakistanensis .

The Kuldana Formation featured several different environments across its time of deposition, with the oldest layers showing fluvial conditions. The strata overlying these sediments suggest that the environment shifted to a mix of freshwater and shallow marine habitats, which is supported by multiple lines of evidence. Evidence for freshwater biomes is present through isotopic analysis as well as the local fauna, for example the freshwater snail Planorbis , whereas the presence of sharks and pycnodontoid fish shows the presence of marine habitats. It is thought that the archaeocetes that inhabited the formation at the time stuck to freshwater biomes, even if some localities were evidently closer to the coast. [3]

This mix of fresh- and saltwater habitats was eventually followed by a marine transgression that characterizes the geology of the uppermost layers of the formation. [3]

Ganda Kas

Fossiliferous sediments in and around the Ganda Kas localities were deposited in semi-arid Eocene floodplains and freshwater channels. The H-GSP Locality 62, from which an abundance of material is known, was deposited in a stillwater environment, while other localities in the area represent the remains of prehistoric rivers. Localities around Ganda Kas deposited in a marine environment appears to be of a later age. [4]

Banda Daud Shah

Like in Ganda Kas, the depositional environment in the areas presenting a Banda Daud Shah-type fauna, such as the eponymous Banda Daud Shah and Barbora Banda localities, represents an arid environment crossed by various rivers. The most common fossil mammals are the early artiodactyl Diacodexis pakistanensis and the tapiroid perissodactyl Karagalax mamikhelensis  ; the presence of adapids and arctocyonids in the area indicates that it probably had an older age than the Ganda Kas fauna. [4]

Paleobiota

Mammals

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Arctocyonia

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Karakia [4] K. longidensH-GSP Loc. 9710, Banda Daud ShahA single, fragmentary mandible.The first arctocyonid from Indo-Pakistan.

Artiodactyla

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Ambulocetus [3] [5] A. natansH-GSP Loc. 9209 & 9204Several specimens.An ambulocetid cetacean.
Pakicetus Skeleton with Hans Thewissen.jpg
Artiodactyla indet. [6] ChorlakkiAn astragalus and two calcaneum These fossil remains are thought to be too large and robust to have belonged to the Chorlakki dichobunids or Indohyus.
Attockicetus [3] [5] A. praecursorH-GSP Loc. 9204

H-GSP Loc. 9607, Shepherd's Lake

An incomplete cranium, worn teeth, premolars.A remingtonocetid cetacean.
Attockicetus H-GSP 96232 skull.jpg
Cf. A. sp.H-GSP Loc. 9607, Shepherd's LakeTwo teethA remingtonocetid cetacean.
Basilosauridae indet. [7] Ganda KasTwo isolated teeth.One of the teeth resemble those of Ichthyolestes.
Chorlakkia [6] C. hassaniChorlakkiA left dentary and multiple teethA dichobunid.
Dichobunidae indet. [6] ChorlakkiTeethTeeth distinct from the other known Kuldana dichobunids. One particular tooth might represent a hyopsodontid.
Dulcidon [8] [9] [5] D. gandaensisGanda Kas & ChorlakkiTwo right molar.A dichobunid
Gandakasia [3] [7] G. potensH-GSP Loc. 58, Ganda Kas
H-GSP Loc. 9607 Shepherd's Lake
A fragmentary mandibleA protocetid cetacean
Gobiohyus [7] [6] [4] cf. G. orientalisGanda KasA single tooth.An helohyid.
Gujaratia [6] [4] [10] [11] G. pakistanensisChorlakki
Lammidhan
Barbora Banda I & II
H-GSP Loc. 300, 9710 & 9712, Banda Daud Shah
TeethA diacodexeid. Gujaratia is rare at Chorlakki and may be the only artiodactyl at Barbora Banda. Formerly classified within the European and American genus Diacodexis .
Ichthyolestes [3] I. pinfoldiH-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasA single molarA pakicetid.
Indohyus cranium.jpg
Indohyus [6] I. indiraeGanda Kas, Chorlakki & KalakotNumerous specimensA raoellid. The most abundant artiodactyl at Kalakot, but less common at Chorlakki where Khirtharia is more prominent.
Indohyus BW.jpg
I. majorChorlakkiAn isolated toothA larger species of raoellid, that would reach about twice the size of I. indirae, but might also represent an unrelated species of diacodexeid or dichobunid.
Khirtharia [7] [6] [4] K. dayiChorlakki, Kalakot & Panoba

H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda Kas

Fragments of maxilla and mandibles ; isolated teethA large helohyid. Khirtharia is the must abundant artiodactyl at Chorlakki and more common than Indohyus, but the reverse is seen at Kalakot.
Nalacetus [3] [5] Nalacetus ratimitusH-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasFragments of palate, maxilla and teethA pakicetid cetacean
Pakibune [6] P. chorlakkiensisChorlakki & LammidhanTeethA moderately sized dichobunid, larger than the other dichobunid taxa from the formation.
Pakicetus P. attocki [7] H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasComplete cranial remains.A pakicetid cetacean
Pakicetus attocki, ROM.jpg
P. calcis [3] H-GSP Loc. 9607 Shepherd's Lake
H-GSP Loc. 9607, Valley E
A partial mandible, palate fragment and teethA pakicetid cetacean
P. chittas [3] Chorlakki

H-GSP Loc. 9607, Shepherd's Lake

Fragments of mandiblesA pakicetid cetacean
P. inachus [6] [12] ChorlakkiA partial skull, mandible and teethA pakicetid cetacean
Skull Pakicetus inachus.jpg
Protocetidae indet. [7] Ganda KasJaw fragment and two isolated teethOne of the teeth resemble those of Ichthyolestes.

Chiroptera

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Chiropteran indet. A [6] [13] ChorlakkiA molar
Chiropteran indet. B [6] [13] ChorlakkiTwo fragmentary molarsResemble that of Palaeochiropteryx , and may belong to a relatively large bat.

Eulipotyphla

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Pakilestes [6] [13] [14] P. lathriusChorlakkiTwo molars and a premolarAn insectivore mammal of uncertain affinities, possibly a plesiosoricid soricomorph.
Perizalambdodon [15] P. punjabiensisH-GSP Loc. 9610, JhalarA single molarAn indeterminate lipotyphlan.
Seia [6] [13] S. shahiChorlakkiTwo molarsAn erinaceomorph, probably representing a new family.

Herpetotheriidae

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Herpetotheriinae indet. [4] H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasA right molar.

Hyaenodonta

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Paratritemnodon [6] [4] P. indicusGanda Kas & ChorlakkiA mandible (now lost), several isolated teethRepresent a smaller form of hyaenodont.
P. jandewalensisH-GSP Loc. 9205, Ganda KasFragmentary maxilla and isolated tooth.The teeth are twice as large than those of P. indicus, and it was probably much larger.

Mesonychia

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Mesonychidae indet. [7] Ganda KasA single premolarBelongs to a small mesonychid, with similarities to Hapalodectes .

Perissodactyla

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Anthracobune [11] [10] [16] [17] A. pinfoldi [7] Upper Member : Lammidhan & Ganda KasRelatively complete cranial remains and isolated teeth.The largest anthracobunid in the formation.
Anthracobune pinfoldi crania.png
A. wardi [6] Chorlakki & Ganda KasSeveral mandibles, fragments of a skull and isolated teeth.An anthracobunid. Formerly the distinct genus Lammidhania, also present in the Subathu Formation. Includes the holotype of Pilgrimella pilgrimi .
Anthracobune wardi mandible.png
"Forstercooperia" [6] "F." jigniensisChorlakkiTeethA paraceratheriid.
Isectolophidae indet. [6] ChorlakkiA tooth
Jozaria [11] [16] J. palustrisUpper MemberSeveral teethAn anthracobunid.
cf. Kalakotia [4] K. sp.H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda Kas

H-GSP Loc. 9613, Thatta

A fragmentary maxilla and isolated teethA lophialetid tapiroid, probably representing a new species.
Karagalax [18] K. mamikhelensisH-GSP Loc. 300, Barbora BandaSeveral relatively well-preserved skulls ; isolated postcranial elements tentatively referred to the genus.An isectolophid tapiromorph, more cursorial than its contemporary American relatives.
Karagalax mandible.jpg
Obergfellia [6] [11] O. occidentalisGanda KasSeveral mandibles.An anthracobunid. Includes most of the material formerly assigned to Pilgrimella pilgrimi.
Obergfellia occidentalis mandible.tif
Palaeosyops [6] [7] [4] [19] P. dayiChorlakki

H-GSP Loc. 64, 9613 and 227, Ganda Kas & Thatta

Fragmentary maxilla and mandible ; isolated teethFormerly belonging to the genus Eotitanops , it seems to be intermediate between the two genera. A small and primitve brontothere. Also present in the Baska Formation.
Pakotitanops [7] [4] P. latidentatusH-GSP Loc. 9205 & 9206, Ganda KasA fragmentary maxilla and isolated teethA brontothere, distinctly larger and more derived than Eotitanops.

Primates

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Cf. Agerinia [6] [20] Cf. A. sp.ChorlakkiA tooth.A notharctid, with similarities to A. roselli.
Jattadectes [4] J. mamikheliH-GSP Loc. 9712, Banda Daud ShahA premolar and an incisorThe first plesiadapid from Indo-Pakistan.
Kohatius [21] [22] K. coppensiChorlakkiTeeth.An omomyid. Might also be present in the Ghazij Formation.
cf. K. sp.BarboraMandible fragment.An omomyid  ; the smallest primate in Indo-Pakistan.
K. sp. AH-GSP Locality 223, JhalarA premolar.An omomyid with similarities with Altanius .
Panobius [6] [4] [21] [20] P. afridiChorlakkiTwo isolated teeth.An adapid.
P. ampliorEither from Chorlakki, [21] or from H-GSP Loc. 9712, Banda Daud Shah. [4] A fragmentary mandible with two associated molars and isolated teeth.An adapid, much larger than P. russelli and P. afridi, to which it was firstly attributed.
Parvocristes [4] P. oligocollisH-GSP Loc. 225, JhalarA premolar and an incisorA carpolestid.

Rodentia

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Birbalomys [6] [4] [23] B. (Basalomys) ijlstiH-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasTeethA chappatimyid, the most common rodent in its locality.
B. (Birbalomys) sondaariChorlakki

H-GSP Loc. 57, 62 and 144, Ganda Kas

TeethA chappatimyid abundant in Chorlakki and Ganda Kas.
B. (Birbalomys) woodiChorlakkiThree teeth.A chappatimyid. Relatively rare in Chorlakki, but abundant in other similarly-aged formations.
B. (Basalomys) vandermeuleni [24] Shekhan, Chorlakki

H-GSP Loc. 57 & 144, Ganda Kas

A chappatimyid. Formerly Saykanomys .
Chapattimys [6] [23] C. debruijniChorlakki

H-GSP Loc. 9205, Ganda Kas

TeethOne of the largest chappatimyid in Indo-Pakistan, reaching twice the size of C. wilsoni. Quite rare in all the deposits where it is found.
C. wilsoniChorlakki

H-GSP Loc. 62 & 144, Ganda Kas

TeethA chappatimyid.
Gumbatomys [6] [23] G. asifiH-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda Kas ; ChorlakkiSeveral teethA rare chappatimyid.
Paramyidae indet. [8] [25] Barbora Banda ITeeth
Cf. Petrokozlovia [6] [23] Cf. P. sp. indet. 1Chorlakki

H-GSP Loc. 57, Ganda Kas

One tooth.Less derived than P. notos, but similar to a more primitive specimen from Kazakhstan.
Cf. P. sp. indet. 2ChorlakkiOne tooth.Seemingly closer to P. notos, from Mongolia, than the other species.
Cf. Tamquammys [24] Cf. T. sp.ChorlakkiA Tamquammyidae.
Tamquammyidae indet. [8] [4] [25] spe. indet. 1Barbora Banda ITeeth
spe. indet. 2Barbora Banda ITeeth

Tillodontia

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Basalina [6] [26] B. basalensisGanda Kas & ChorlakkiA fragmentary mandible and associated teeth.A small estonychid tillodont, firstly identified as a taeniodont.
cf. B. basalensisGanda KasA jaw fragment.The heavy wear on the specimen renders the identification as B. basalensis only tentative.

Other mammals

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Mammalia indet. [8] Barbora Banda IIA single, large incisor.May belong to a small artiodactyl.

Fish

Actinopterygians

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Acanthopterygii indet. [27] Chorlakki & Shekhan NalaSeveral isolated teeth.Some of the teeth might belong to an Osteoglossiforme indeterminate.
Amiidae indet. [28] H-GSP Loc. 56, Ganda Kas redbedsPartial right premaxilla with associated teeth.From predominantly marine deposits.
Anchichanna [28] S. kuldanensisH-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasSeveral relatively complete cranial remains.A snakehead.
Ariidae indet. [27] ChorlakkiSeveral abdominal vertebra.Despite being primarily marine, ariid catfish are known to frequently enter freshwater environments.
Bagridae indet. [27] ChorlakkiAn angular bone, a cleithrum and pectoral spines.
Cf. Bagridae indet. [28] H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasFragments of the skull and spines.Might represent several species of catfish.
Clariidae indet. [27] Chorlakki & Shekhan NalaAn articular bone and pectoral spines.The low angular resemble that of Heterobranchus .
Cyprinidae indet. [27] ChorlakkiA pharyngeal tooth.
Cyprinodontidae indet. [27] ChorlakkiSeveral teeth and a quadrate bone.The teeth are similar to those of Aphanius .
Eotrigonodontidae indet. [28] H-GSP Loc. 229 & 9607, Shepherd's LakeTwo teeth.Tentatively referred to the Mesozoic genera Hadrodus or Stephanodus .
Lepisosteus [27] L. sp.ChorlakkiA tooth and a scale.Appears to be closely related or identical to the modern genus Lepisosteus osseus .
Macquaria [27] M. antiquusChorlakkiVarious bone fragments and isolated spinesA temperate perch.
Osteoglossidae indet. [27] Scales : Chorlakki & Shekhan Nala

Maxilla : H-GSP Loc. 9611

A maxilla, several scales of various size and shape.
Perciformes indet. [28] H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasIsolated fin spine.Distinct from Macquaria antiquus.
Pycnodontoidea indet. [3] [28] H-GSP Loc. 9206 & 9608, Ganda Kas
H-GSP Loc. 9607, Shepherd's Lake
Several isolated teeth and a jaw fragment.From predominantly marine deposits.
Siluriforme indet. [27] ChorlakkiA basioccipital.
Teleostei indet. [28] H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda KasIsolated teeth.From predominantly freshwater deposits, possibly representing several species.
Cf. Varohstichthys [27] Cf. V. sp.ChorlakkiA pharyngeal tooth.A Cyprinidae.

Chondrichthyans

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Selachimorpha indet. [3] H-GSP Loc. 9607, Shepherd's LakeTeeth.

Reptiles

Crocodilians

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Crocodilia indet. [8] [29] Barbora Banda II & H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda Kas

Squamates

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Tinosaurus [27] T. sp.ChorlakkiTwo isolated teeth.Similarities can be observed with Eocene species of Tinosaurus from North America and China.
Sauria indet. [27] ChorlakkiA fragmentary vertebra.
Boidae indet. [27] ChorlakkiFive fragmentary vertebrae.
Erycinae indet. [27] ChorlakkiTwo fragmentary vertebrae.The material probably represent a new genus and species of sand boa.
Boinae indet. [27] ChorlakkiTwo fragmentary vertebrae.The material probably represent a new genus and species of boa resembling the Eocene genera Paleryx and Palaeopython .

Turtles

NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Trionychinae indet. [27] ChorlakkiFour fragments of pleural plates.The fragments belonged to a shell reaching 30 cm in length and are similar to plates found in the Kala Chitta Hills and Lammidhan localities.
" Chorlakkichelys " [27] "C. shahi"ChorlakkiFragmentary shell belonging to a single individual.A Carretochelyinae. Material from Chharat, Jhalar and Lammidhan can be tentatively assigned to the genus. A 2014 study established that the genus Chorlakkichelys is a nomem dubium due to its lack of diagnostic apomorphy. [30]

Mollusca

NameSpeciesLocality/Member/MicrofaciesMaterialNotesImage
Bivalvia indet. [31] Molluscan microfacies
Ostracode wackestone
"Oyster" shell fragmentsComposes more than half of the molluscan microfacies.
Gastropoda indet. [31] Molluscan microfacies
Ostracode wackestone
Planorbis [3] [24] [29] P. sp.Chorlakki
Shekhan Nala
H-GSP Loc. 62, Ganda Kas
H-GSP Loc. 9607, Shepherd's Lake
A freshwater snail.

Plants

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
NameSpeciesLocality/MemberMaterialNotesImage
Cf. Ajunginucilla [8] Cf. C. sp.Barbora Banda ISeeds.A sage.
Celtis [8] C. sp. [8] Barbora Banda ISeeds.A hackberry.
Chara [8] C. sp.Barbora Banda ISeeds.A charophyte.

Other microfossils

NameSpeciesMicrofaciesMaterialNotesImage
Assilina [31] A. spp.Nummulitic wacke-packstone

Assilina wacke-packstone

A foraminifera Present in minor quantity in the nummulitic wacke-packstone, and as the dominant fossil in the Assilina wacke-packstone. Its presence in large numbers indicates deeper environments than the Nummulites deposits.
Biantholithus [31] B. sparsusOstracode wackestone (Q-2)
Nummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-15)
Brachiopoda indet. [31] Molluscan microfacies
Coccolithus [31] C. foraminisNummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-15)Typical of warm waters
C. formususNummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-15)
C. pauxillusOstracode wackestone (Q-2)
C. pelagicusLime mudstone (Q-1)
Ostracode wackestone (Q-2)
Nummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-15)
Typical of warm , low-latitude waters
Cyclicargolithus [31] C. luminisNummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-15)
Echinodermata indet. [31] Molluscan microfaciesFragments
Fasciculithus [31] F. lillianaeMolluscan microfacies (Q-13)
F. tympaniformisMolluscan microfacies (Q-13)
F. clinatusMolluscan microfacies (Q-13)
Assilina wacke-packstone (Q-17)
Lockhartia [31] L. spp.Assilina wacke-packstoneA rotaliid Present in minor quantity in the Assilina wacke-packstone.
Neococcolithes [31] N. protenusNummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-15)
Nummulites [31] N. spp.Nummulitic wacke-packstonePresent as the dominant fossil in the nummulitic wacke-packstone, and in lower numbers in the Assilina wacke-packstone. Typical of a low energy marine environment.
Ostracoda indet. [31] Ostracode wackestone
Rhomboaster [31] R. bramelettiOstracode wackestone (Q-2)
Molluscan microfacies (Q-13)
Lime mudstone (Q-14)
Sphenolithus [31] S. anarrhopusLime mudstone (Q-1, Q-14)
Ostracode wackestone (Q-2)
S. moriformisMolluscan microfacies (Q-13)
S. primusOstracode wackestone (Q-2)
Molluscan microfacies (Q-13)
S. sp.Lime mudstone (Q-14)Typical of warm waters
Tribrachiatus [31] T. absidatusAssilina wacke-packstone (Q-22)
Nummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-27)
T. lunatusAssilina wacke-packstone (Q-22)
T. brameletti-contortus intergradeNummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-27)
T. contortusLime mudstone (Q-1)
Molluscan microfacies (Q-13)
Zeughrabdotus [31] Z. sigmoidesNummulitic wacke-packstone (Q-15)More typical of colder waters.

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<i>Ambulocetus</i> Genus of extinct mammals of the order Cetacea

Ambulocetus is a genus of early amphibious cetacean from the Kuldana Formation in Pakistan, roughly 48 or 47 million years ago during the Early Eocene (Lutetian). It contains one species, Ambulocetus natans, known solely from a near-complete skeleton. Ambulocetus is among the best-studied of Eocene cetaceans, and serves as an instrumental find in the study of cetacean evolution and their transition from land to sea, as it was the first cetacean discovered to preserve a suite of adaptations consistent with an amphibious lifestyle. Ambulocetus is classified in the group Archaeoceti—the ancient forerunners of modern cetaceans whose members span the transition from land to sea—and in the family Ambulocetidae, which includes Himalayacetus and Gandakasia.

Pakotitanops is a genus of poorly known brontothere represented only by a few tooth fragments. Its fossil dates from the middle Eocene Kuldana Formation, in the Ganda Kas area of Pakistan. Because this species is known only from a few tooth fragments it is difficult to compare it to other species to determine if it is indeed a distinct species and to what other species it is mostly closely related.

<i>Pakicetus</i> Genus of ancient whales

Pakicetus is an extinct genus of amphibious cetacean of the family Pakicetidae, which was endemic to Pakistan during the Ypresian period, roughly 50 million years ago. It was a wolf-like animal, about 1 metre to 2 metres long, and lived in and around water where it ate fish and other animals. The vast majority of paleontologists regard it as the most basal whale, representing a transitional stage between land mammals and whales. It belongs to the even-toed ungulates with the closest living non-cetacean relative being the hippopotamus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archaeoceti</span> Paraphyletic group of primitive cetaceans from Early Eocene to Late Oligocene

Archaeoceti, or Zeuglodontes in older literature, is a paraphyletic group of primitive cetaceans that lived from the Early Eocene to the late Oligocene. Representing the earliest cetacean radiation, they include the initial amphibious stages in cetacean evolution, thus are the ancestors of both modern cetacean suborders, Mysticeti and Odontoceti. This initial diversification occurred in the shallow waters that separated India and Asia 53 to 45 mya, resulting in some 30 species adapted to a fully oceanic life. Echolocation and filter-feeding evolved during a second radiation 36 to 35 mya.

<i>Anthracobune</i> Eocene epoch mammal

Anthracobune is an extinct genus of stem perissodactyl from the middle Eocene of the Upper Kuldana Formation of Kohat, Punjab, Pakistan.

Ishatherium is an extinct genus of ungulate from the early Eocene of the Subathu formation in northwestern India.

Lammidhania is an extinct genus of anthracobunids, which lived from the early to middle Eocene period. Its fossil remains were discovered in 1940 in the Chorlakki locality of the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Himalayacetus is an extinct genus of carnivorous aquatic mammal of the family Ambulocetidae. The holotype was found in Himachal Pradesh, India, in what was the remnants of the ancient Tethys Ocean during the Early Eocene. This makes Himalayacetus the oldest archaeocete known, extending the fossil record of whales some 3.5 million years.

Nalacetus is an extinct pakicetid early whale, fossils of which have been found in Lutetian red beds in Punjab, Pakistan. Nalacetus lived in a fresh water environment, was amphibious, and carnivorous. It was considered monophyletic by Cooper, Thewissen & Hussain 2009. It was said to be wolf-sized and one of the earliest forms of the order Cetacea.

Gandakasia is an extinct genus of ambulocetid from Pakistan, that lived in the Eocene epoch. It probably caught its prey near rivers or streams.

<i>Ichthyolestes</i> Genus of mammals

Ichthyolestes is an extinct genus of archaic cetacean that was endemic to Indo-Pakistan during the Lutetian stage. To date, this monotypic genus is only represented by Ichthyolestes pinfoldi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plesiadapidae</span> Family of mammals

Plesiadapidae is a family of plesiadapiform mammals related to primates known from the Paleocene and Eocene of North America, Europe, and Asia. Plesiadapids were abundant in the late Paleocene, and their fossils are often used to establish the ages of fossil faunas.

<i>Remingtonocetus</i> Genus of mammals

Remingtonocetus is an extinct genus of early cetacean freshwater aquatic mammals of the family Remingtonocetidae endemic to the coastline of the ancient Tethys Ocean during the Eocene. It was named after naturalist Remington Kellogg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remingtonocetidae</span> Family of mammals

Remingtonocetidae is a diverse family of early aquatic mammals of the order Cetacea. The family is named after paleocetologist Remington Kellogg.

<i>Dalanistes</i> Species of mammal (fossil)

Dalanistes is an extinct genus of remingtonocetid early whale known from the late early Eocene of Kutch, India and Punjab and Balochistan, Pakistan. Dalanistes is closely related to Remingtonocetus, but also shares several features with Ambulocetus, and, with its combination of terrestrial and amphibious adaptations, Dalanistes apparently is an intermediate form between these two groups. Isotopic evidence suggest that Dalanistes had a marine diet.

Gaviacetus is an extinct archaeocete whale that lived approximately 45 million years ago. Gaviacetus was named for its characteristic narrow rostrum and the fast pursuit predation suggested by its unfused sacral vertebrae.

<i>Attockicetus</i> Extinct genus of early whale

Attockicetus is an extinct genus of remingtonocetid early whale known from the Middle Eocene (Lutetian) Kuldana Formation in the Kala Chitta Hills, in the Attock District of Punjab, Pakistan.

<i>Indocetus</i> Genus of mammals

Indocetus is a protocetid early whale known from the late early Eocene Harudi Formation in Kutch, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hans Thewissen</span> Dutch/American paleontologist

Johannes Gerardus Marie (Hans) Thewissen is a Dutch-American paleontologist known for his significant contributions to the field of whale evolution. Thewissen's fieldwork has led to the discovery of key fossils that have shed light on the transition of whales from land to water, including the discovery of Ambulocetus, Pakicetus, Indohyus, and Kutchicetus. In addition to his work on fossil discoveries, Thewissen also studies modern bowhead and beluga whales in Alaska, focusing on their biology and the implications of this knowledge for management and conservation efforts. His research has been instrumental in deepening our understanding of cetacean evolution and the adaptations that allowed these mammals to transition from terrestrial to fully aquatic lifestyles.

References

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