Journal
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
Volume 28, Issue 1-2, Pages 289-303Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2015.1046718
Keywords
marine mammal; phylogeny; paleoecology; North Pacific
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Funding
- Alaska Region, US National Park Service
- Institute for the Study of Earth and Man
- Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research [15K05324, 24540502, 15K05333] Funding Source: KAKEN
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Derived members of the enigmatic mammalian order Desmostylia have molars comprising appressed columns whose morphology does not render their function in feeding simple to discern. Here we describe a new genus and species, Ounalashkastylus tomidai, more derived than Cornwallius but less derived than Desmostylus and Vanderhoofius, which develop a hypertrophied medial eminence on the dentary ontogenetically. Tooth morphology, vaulted palate and the medial eminence, which can rise to the level of the occlusal surface of M-2, suggest that derived desmostylids clenched their teeth strongly while employing suction during feeding, most likely on marine and coastal plants.
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