Cladistic analysis and revised classification of fossil and recent mysticetes

Mette Elstrup Steeman

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    90 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A cladistic analysis that includes representatives of all recent genera of mysticetes and several fossil species that

    were previously referred to the family Cetotheriidae, with tooth-bearing mysticetes and an archaeocete as an outgroup,

    is presented here. The result of this analysis forms the base of a revised classification of Mysticeti. Cetotheriidae

    is redefined as a monophyletic family, which includes the genera Cetotherium, Piscobalaena, and a new

    subfamily Herpetocetinae, including Herpetocetus, Nannocetus, Metopocetus, and Cephalotropis. Eschrichtiidae is

    the closest sister taxon to Cetotheriidae. A few species are referred to Eomysticetoidea, whereas the remaining species

    that were previously referred to Cetotheriidae appear in four clades that branch off from the lineage leading to

    Balaenopteridae. These are a Mauicetus clade and three clades that are named as new families Aglaocetidae,

    Pelocetidae, and Diorocetidae

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society
    Volume150
    Issue number4
    Pages (from-to)875-894
    Number of pages20
    ISSN0024-4082
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

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