A semi-aquatic Arctic mammalian carnivore from the Miocene epoch and origin of Pinnipedia

Associated skeleton NUFV 405 directly documents a terrestrial–aquatic anatomical mosaic in an early Miocene lake setting; swimming mode, tree position and transition geography remain bounded interpretations.

NUFV 405 was placed within Pinnipedimorpha by the source matrix; the result does not make Puijila a direct ancestor of seals.

The profile represents one Haughton Formation lake occurrence on Devon Island and does not establish a complete Arctic dispersal route.

Dentition and limb proportions support predatory and semiaquatic interpretations, but freshwater use and swimming behaviour were not directly observed.

NUFV 405 preserves roughly 65% of an associated skeleton, including skull, vertebrae and substantial fore- and hind limbs.

The 24–20 Ma envelope is a broad early Miocene formation translation for NUFV 405, not a pinnipedimorph FAD, genus LAD or transition duration.