Deciduous Dentitions of Eocene Cebochoerid Artiodactyls and Cetartiodactyl Relationships |
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Authors: | Jessica M Theodor Scott E Foss |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, Illinois State Museum, Springfield, Illinois 62703, USA;(2) John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Kimberly, Oregon 97848, USA;(3) Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 East Ash Street, Springfield, Illinois 62703, USA |
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Abstract: | Deciduous lower premolars (milk teeth) of the Eocene artiodactyl family Cebochoeridae possess accessory denticles and are
remarkably similar to both deciduous and adult teeth of the cetacean family Basilosauridae, suggesting that morphological
characters of juvenile dentitions are important to understanding the phylogenetic origin of whales and morphological transitions
in the cetartiodactyl lineage. Incorporation of these new characters into a larger phylogenetic analysis of morphological
characters of artiodactyls, mesonychids, and basal and recent whales supports a monophyletic Cetartiodactyla, but does not
directly support a whale–hippo relationship. However, the presence of accessory denticles on some artiodactyl dentitions weakens
the morphological support for a monophyletic Artiodactyla, suggesting either that whales and cebochoerids may be more closely
related than had been thought, or that cebochoerids share a developmental pathway with cetaceans. |
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Keywords: | Cebochoeridae Cetartiodactyla Cetacea Artiodactyla Mesonychia Phylogenetic reconstruction Deciduous dentition Evolution |
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