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Journal of Paleontology; September 2009; v. 83; no. 5; p. 635-663; DOI: 10.1666/08-045.1
© 2009 Paleontological Society
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ARTICLE

NEW SKELETAL MATERIAL OF ANDREWSIPHIUS AND KUTCHICETUS, TWO EOCENE CETACEANS FROM INDIA

J.G.M. THEWISSEN1 and SUNIL BAJPAI2

1 Department of Anatomy, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown 44272 <thewisse{at}neoucom.edu>
2 Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee 247667 <sunilfes{at}iitr.ernet.in>

The Eocene cetacean genera Andrewsiphius and Kutchicetus are systematically revised, their anatomy described, and their phylogenetic position analyzed. Each genus contains a single species, A. sloani and K. minimus, and both are known only from the middle Eocene of the Indian Subcontinent. Andrewsiphius and Kutchicetus differ in a number of respects, the most important dental difference being that P2, P3, p2, and p3 are double-rooted in Andrewsiphius and single-rooted in Kutchicetus. Lower molars are separated by diastemata in Kutchicetus, but not in Andrewsiphius. Postcranially, Andrewsiphius has caudal vertebrae that are far more robust than those of Kutchicetus.

We propose the new clade Andrewsiphiinae for these two genera, based on their unique characters: the extremely slender jaw, fused mandibular symphysis, narrow palate and rostrum, and lower molars that have a low crown with three cusps lined up rostro-caudally. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that andrewsiphiines are either a subfamily of Remingtonocetidae or an independent branch on the Eocene cetacean lineage. Interpreting conservatively, we classify them as remingtonocetids. Andrewsiphiines have a long, robust, dorso-ventrally flattened tail and short limbs, suggesting that they swam using dorsoventral undulation of the tail.

Key Words: Cetacea • Mammalia • Eocene • Asia • Phylogeny






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