A new species of phocoid pinnipedPinnarctidionfrom the early Miocene of Oregon

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A well preserved, complete skull from the upper part of the Nye Mudstone (early Miocene; late Arikareean or early Hemingfordian correlative) of coastal Oregon is referred to a new species of pinniped, Pinnarctidion rayi, sp. nov. Several additional crania and associated postcranial elements from this same rock unit are referred to cf. Pinnarctidion rayi. Until now, Pinnarctidion was based on a single species, Pinnarctidion bishopi from the Pyramid Hill Sand Member of the Jewett Sand in Pyramid Hill, California. Pinnarctidion rayi, sp. nov. is diagnosed by a narrow crest connecting the paroccipital and mastoid process, and a transversely compressed infraorbital foramen. Pinnarctidion is a member of the phocoid clade which includes Desmatophoca, Allodesmus, and the Phocidae.