Biology:Semantoridae

From HandWiki
Short description: Extinct family of mammals

Semantoridae
Temporal range: Late Oligocene - Late Miocene, 24–7.25 Ma
Puijila darwini (fossil).jpg
Restored skeleton of Puijila darwini
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Clade: Pan-Pinnipedia
Family: Semantoridae
Orlov, 1931
Genera
  • Semantor Orlov, 1931; type
  • Necromites V. V. Bogachev. 1940
  • Potamotherium Geoffroy, 1833
  • Puijila Rybczynski et al., 2009

Semantoridae is an extinct family of stem-pinnipeds with fossils found in France , Kazakhstan, and Canada , dating back to various points in time in the Miocene epoch.[1][2] Based on their overall anatomy semantorids were not marine specialists, as their elongated bodies, a long tail and robust limbs suggest they were freshwater animals not unlike otters.[1] Indeed, at least some taxa such as Semantor and Potamotherium were initially classified as mustelids closely related to otters.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Berta, A.; Churchill, M.; Boessenecker, R.W. (2018). "The Origin and Evolutionary Biology of Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 46: 203–228. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-082517-010009. Bibcode2018AREPS..46..203B. 
  2. Rybczynski, N.; Dawson, M.R.; Tedford, R.H. (2009). "A semi-aquatic Arctic mammalian carnivore from the Miocene epoch and origin of Pinnipedia". Nature 458 (7241): 1021–24. doi:10.1038/nature07985. PMID 19396145. Bibcode2009Natur.458.1021R. 

Wikidata ☰ Q33138060 entry