Pacificotaria

Last updated

Pacificotaria
Temporal range: Early-middle Miocene
Scientific classification
Domain:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Infraorder:
(unranked):
Genus:
Binomial name
Pacificotaria hadromma
Barnes, 1992

Pacificotaria is an extinct genus of basal pinnipediform that lived in Oregon during the early to middle Miocene epoch. [1] The only species of this genus is Pacificotaria hadromma making it a monotypic genus. [2]

It is a possible junior synonym of Pteronarctos . However it is distinguished from its protruding orbits that is positioned farther anteriorly on the cranium, its larger bony nares, a robust rostrum, a vaulted palate, and straighter upper cheek tooth rows. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Berta, Annalisa; Churchill, Morgan; Boessenecker, Robert W. (2018-05-30). "The Origin and Evolutionary Biology of Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 46: 203–228. Bibcode:2018AREPS..46..203B. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-082517-010009. ISSN   0084-6597.
  2. "Pacificotaria Barnes, 1992". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2025-12-17.