Name:
Ashorocetus
(Ashoro whale).
Phonetic: Ash-o-roe-see-tus.
Named By: L. G. Barnes, M. Kimura, H.
Furusawa & H. Sawamura - 1995.
Classification: Chordata, Mammalia, Cetacea,
Mysticeti, Aetiocetidae.
Species: A. eguchii (type).
Diet: Filter feeder?
Size: Unknown.
Known locations: Japan, Hokkaido - Morawan
Formation, Kamirawan Sandstone Member.
Time period: Chattian of the Oligocene.
Fossil representation: Partial skull remains.
Unfortunately still only known from very incomplete remains, Ashorocetus was an early baleen whale. Relatives of Ashorocetus include Aetiocetus and Willungacetus.
Further reading
- Classification and distribution of Oligocene Aetiocetidae
(Mammalia; Cetacea; Mysticeti) from western North America and
Japan - L. G. Barnes, M. Kimura, H. Furusawa &
H. Sawamura - 1995.