Basilosaurus reduced hind-limb specimens

Egyptian Basilosaurus specimens preserve a tiny jointed pelvic limb and foot, while a named femur supplies measured bone-microstructure evidence.

Represented range37.7–35 Ma

RegionsBirket Qarun Formation, Wadi Al Hitan, Fayum, Egypt

CladesBasilosaurus isis · Basilosauridae · Cetacea

Claim ledger

morphology · medium

Egyptian Basilosaurus isis material preserves a tiny jointed pelvic limb and foot, and named specimen UM 93231 supplies measured femoral microstructure; terrestrial locomotion is excluded while a copulatory function remains inferred.

claim:event:basilosaurus-hind-limb-specimens

References

Hind limbs of Eocene Basilosaurus: evidence of feet in whalesGingerich, P.D.; Smith, B.H.; Simons, E.L. · 1990 · DOI 10.1126/science.249.4965.154
Transition of Eocene whales from land to sea: evidence from bone microstructureHoussaye, A.; Tafforeau, P.; de Muizon, C.; Gingerich, P.D. · 2015 · DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0118409

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