Mixocetus is a genus of extinct baleen whale belonging to the family Tranatocetidae. It is known only from the late Miocene (Tortonian) of Los Angeles County, California.[1][2]
| Mixocetus Temporal range: Late Miocene,
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| Holotype skull, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Superfamily: | Balaenopteroidea |
| Family: | †Tranatocetidae |
| Genus: | †Mixocetus Kellogg, 1934 |
| Species | |
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†M. elysius Kellogg, 1934 (type) | |
Description
editMixocetus is a large-size mysticete with a long, narrow rostrum, a robust braincase, a nostril opening extending posteriorly just a few inches behind the antorbital processes, the posterior ends of the premaxillae, maxillae, and nasals tapering and extending posteriorly to a point between superior parts of supraorbital processes of the frontals, and a temporal fossa opening dorsally. Unlike Cetotherium, the antorbital process is larger, the lateral margins of the supraoccipital processes of the frontals are parallel to each other, there is a protruding lateral wall of the braincase, and the rear portion of the cranium has a very thick and posteriorly protruding exoccipital.[3]
Taxonomy
editThe holotype of this species is LACM 882. It was collected from the Modelo Formation (early Tortonian, 10-11.6 Ma) of Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles County, California. It now resides as a permanent exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park, Los Angeles.
References
edit- ^ R. Kellogg. 1934. A new cetothere from the Modelo Formation at Los Angeles, California. Carnegie Institution of Washington 447:83-104
- ^ V. Bouetel and C. Muizon. 2006. The anatomy and relationships of Piscobalaena nanna (Cetacea, Mysticeti), a Cetotheriidae s.s. from the early Pliocene of Peru. Geodiversitas 28(2):319-395
- ^ M. D. Uhen, R. E. Fordyce, and L. G. Barnes. 2008. Odontoceti. In C. M. Janis, K. M. Scott, and L. L. Jacobs (eds.), Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America II:566-606