| Archaeophocaena Temporal range:Late Miocene 6.4–5.5Ma | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Phocoenidae |
| Genus: | †Archaeophocaena Murakami,Shimada,Hikida, andHirano, 2012 |
| Species: | †A. teshioensis |
| Binomial name | |
| †Archaeophocaena teshioensis Murakami, Shimada, Hikida, and Hirano, 2012 | |
Archaeophocaena teshioensis is a species of extinctporpoise from theLate MioceneKoetoi Formation of Japan living around 6.4–5.5million years ago (mya). Theholotype specimen comprises a partial skull. The animal, along withMiophocaena andPterophocaena, seem to represent an intermediary phase between porpoises and dolphins. Thegenus name derives fromAncient Greekarchaeo, "ancient," andLatinphocaena, "porpoise"; thespecies name honors theTeshio District where the holotype was discovered.[1]