Name:
Archaeodobenus
(Ancient Dobenus).
Phonetic: Ar-kay-o-dob-e-nuss.
Named By: Y. Tanaka & N. Kohno -
2015.
Classification: Chordata, Mamamlia, Carnivora,
Pinnipedia, Odobenidae.
Species: A. akamatsui
(type).
Diet: Piscivore/Carnivore.
Size: Possibly about 3 meters long for the
holotype.
Known locations: Japan, Hokkaido - Ichibangawa
Formation.
Time period: Late Miocene.
Fossil representation: Partial remains.
Archaeodobenus
is an ancient relative of the walrus. Unlike the walrus however,
Archaeodobenus did not have the large tusks that
are the most familiar
feature of the walrus. Instead, Archaeodobenus
simply had
slightly enlarged canine teeth, and an overall appearance more
similar to that of a sea lion.
Further reading
- A New Late Miocene Odobenid (Mammalia: Carnivora) from
Hokkaido, Japan Suggests Rapid Diversification of Basal Miocene
Odobenids. - PLoS One. - Y. Tanaka & N. Kohno
- 2015.