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Maiabalaena

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Extinct genus of whales

Maiabalaena
Temporal range: Early Oligocene, 33 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Genus: †Maiabalaena
Peredo et al., 2018
Species: †M. nesbittae
Binomial name
†Maiabalaena nesbittae
Peredo et al., 2018

Maiabalaena is an extinct genus of baleen whale from the Oligocene of Oregon 33 million years ago consisting of one species: M. nesbittae. It lacks any form of dentition, indicating that baleen whales first evolved tooth loss before evolving baleen. It was likely an efficient suction feeder. The species name is in honor of Washington state's leading paleontologist, Elizabeth Nesbitt.

References

  1. Peredo, C. M.; Pyenson, N. D.; Marshall, C. D.; Uhe, M. D. (2018). "Tooth Loss Precedes the Origin of Baleen in Whales". Current Biology. 28 (24): 3992–4000.e2. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2018.10.047. PMID 30503622.
Taxon identifiers
Maiabalaena
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