| Pterophocaena Temporal range:Late Miocene 9.3–9.2Ma | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Phocoenidae |
| Genus: | †Pterophocaena Murakami,Shimada,Hikida, andHirano, 2012 |
| Species: | †P. nishinoi |
| Binomial name | |
| †Pterophocaena nishinoi Murakami, Shimada, Hikida, and Hirano, 2011 | |
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Pterophocaena nishinoi is an extinct species ofporpoise discovered in theLate MioceneWakkanai Formation of Japan dating to 9.3–9.2million years ago (mya), and may represent an intermediate phase between porpoises and dolphins. It is one of the oldest species discovered, after theMiddle MioceneLoxolithax 16–14.8 mya and the Late MioceneSalumiphocaena 12.6–9 mya. Theholotype specimen comprises a partial skeleton. Thegenus name derives fromAncient Greekpteryx, "wing," in reference to its unusually pronounced beak, andLatinphocaena, "porpoise." Thespecies name honors the discoverer of the holotype, Takanobu Nishino.[1]