Semantoridae
Semantoridae is an extinct family of stem-pinnipeds with fossils found in France, Kazakhstan, and Canada, dating back to various points in time in the Miocene epoch.[1][2] Based on their overall anatomy semantorids were not marine specialists, as their elongated bodies, a long tail and robust limbs suggest they were freshwater animals not unlike otters.[1] Indeed, at least some taxa such as Semantor and Potamotherium were initially classified as mustelids closely related to otters.[1]
Semantoridae | |
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Restored skeleton of Puijila darwini | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Infraorder: | Arctoidea |
Family: | †Semantoridae Orlov, 1931 |
Genera | |
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References
- Berta, A.; Churchill, M. & Boessenecker, R.W. (2018). "The Origin and Evolutionary Biology of Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 0. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-082517-010009.
- Rybczynski, N.; Dawson, M.R. & Tedford, R.H. (2009). "A semi-aquatic Arctic mammalian carnivore from the Miocene epoch and origin of Pinnipedia". Nature. 458 (7241): 1021–24. doi:10.1038/nature07985. PMID 19396145.
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