Rodhocetus is known from two species, the type R. kasrani and the smaller R. balochistanensis.
|
|
Name
|
|
Rodhocetus kasrani
|
|
Authority
|
|
Gingerich, Raza, Arif, Anwar and Zhou, 1994
|
|
Meaning of the generic name
|
|
Rodho, geological anticline where the holotype has been found, and cetus, whale
| | | Meaning of the specific name
| | kasrani, Baluch tribe inhabiting the area
|
|
Size
|
|
Skull length: , Length:
|
|
Remains
|
|
Holotype (GSP-UM 3012): cranium with associated postcranial elements
Referred specimens: GSP-UM 1852, left and right dentaries from Rakhi Nala locality RN-4. GSP-UM 1853, cranium from Debrha
|
|
Age and Distribution
|
|
Horizon: Middle part of the Domanda Formation. Middle Eocene (Early Lutetian).
Locality: Bozmar Nadi, Sulaiman range, Punjab, Pakistan.
|
|
Classification
|
|
Mammalia Cetacea Archaeoceti Protocetidae Protocetinae
|
| |
Further Reading
|
|
P. D. Gingerich, S. M. Raza, M. Arif, M. Anwar, and X. Zhou. 1994. New whale from the Eocene of Pakistan and the origin of cetacean swimming. Nature 368:844-847.
|
| |
Synonyms |
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Rodhocetus balochistanensis
|
|
Authority
|
|
Gingerich, Haq, Zalmout, Khan and Malkani, 2001
|
|
Meaning of the generic name
|
|
Rodho, geological anticline where the holotype has been found, and cetus, whale
| | | Meaning of the specific name
| | From Balochistan
|
|
Size
|
|
Skull length: , Length:
|
|
Remains
|
|
Holotype (GSP-UM 3485): braincase of skull with much of axial skeleton; parts of forelimb including distal humerus, radius and ulna, virtually complete carpus and manus; and parts of pelvic girdle and hind limb including acetabular rim of pelvis, femur, patellae, tibia, virtually complete tarsus and pes.
|
|
Age and Distribution
|
|
Horizon: Domanda Formation. Middle Eocene (Early Lutetian).
Locality: Kunvit, Kohlu District, eastern Balochistan Province, Pakistan.
|
|
Classification
|
|
Mammalia Cetacea Archaeoceti Protocetidae Protocetinae
|
| |
Further Reading
|
|
P. D. Gingerich, M. Haq, I. S. Zalmout, I. H. Khan, and M. S. Malkani. 2001. Origin of whales from early artiodactyls: Hands and feet of Eocene Protocetidae from Pakistan. Science 293:2239-2242.
|
| |
Synonyms |
|
|
| Skeletal reconstruction of Rodhocetus kasrani. From Gingerich et al., 2001. Limbs are based on R. balochistanensis.  Map of the holotype of R. balchistanensis. From Gingerich et al., 2001. |
