Thewissen, J.G.M.; Hussain, S.T.; Arif, M.
taxonomy · range · morphology · ecology · event-mechanism · geochronology · biogeography
Holotype H-GSP 18507 from the Kuldana Formation supplies the partial skeleton used for the original locomotor reconstruction.
Ambulocetus holotype H-GSP 18507 preserves a partial skeleton with an amphibious locomotor mosaic; otter-like swimming and sea-lion-like movement on land are functional hypotheses rather than preserved behaviour.
claim:event:ambulocetus-holotype-locomotionH-GSP 18507 is the holotype of Ambulocetus natans and is routed under Ambulocetidae; that placement does not identify a direct cetacean ancestor.
claim:taxon:ambulocetus:taxonomyThe profile is restricted to the Kuldana Formation occurrence in Pakistan and does not imply a complete dispersal range.
claim:taxon:ambulocetus:biogeographyRobust anatomy supports amphibious predation and locomotor models, while exact swimming style, prey and land performance were not directly observed.
claim:taxon:ambulocetus:ecologyH-GSP 18507 preserves a partial skull, vertebral column and substantial fore- and hind-limb material documenting an anatomical mosaic.
claim:taxon:ambulocetus:morphologyThe 48–47 Ma envelope is a formation-level context for the holotype, not a genus-wide FAD, LAD, cetacean transition duration or direct date.
claim:taxon:ambulocetus:fossil-range