Remingtonocetidae

Remingtonocetids are known from 49-43 million year old deposits in India and Pakistan. Their skeletons are similar to ambulocetids in retaining large hind limbs. They differ from ambulocetids in having smaller orbits (and eyes), long slender snouts, and a wide basicranium which places the ear regions far from the midline. The widely separated ears, combined with the small eyes, may have been an adaptation for enhanced emphasis on hearing to locate prey. Some recent research on remingtonocetids has focused on osmoregulation.

Genera of Remingtonocetidae Attockicetus Dalanistes Remingtonocetus Andrewsiphius Kutchicetus Characters of Remingtonocetidae Long rostrum Small orbits Convex posterior palate extending beyond the tooth row Ear region placed laterally with oblong tympanics Posterior of skull wide

Reconstruction of the remingtonocetid Kutchicetus.  It was a small animal, no bigger than a river otter.  This illustration can be reproduced freely, but this statement has to be added to its caption:   Illustration by Carl Buell and taken from http://www.neoucom.edu/Depts/Anat/Remi.html.

All pictures on these pages are public access, although the source must be identified in publication.

Ambulocetidae | Ambulocetid Locomotion | Bibliography | Whale Origins! | India
Mysticetes | Odontocetes | Osmoregulation | Pakicetidae | Hearing in Pakicetidae
Pakistan | Protocetidae | Remingtonocetidae | Whale

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