An occurrence of the protocetid whale "Eocetus" wardii in the middle Eocene Piney Point Formation of Virginia
Journal of Paleontology
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Abstract
Two protocetid whale vertebrae, here referred to “Eocetus” wardii, have been recovered from the riverbed of the Pamunkey River in east-central Virginia. Neither bone was found in situ, but both were found with lumps of lithified matrix cemented to their surfaces. Most of this matrix was removed and processed for microfossils. Specimens of dinoflagellates were successfully recovered and this flora clearly demonstrates that both vertebrae came from the middle Eocene Piney Point Formation, which crops out above and below river level in the area where the bones were discovered. These vertebrae are the oldest whale remains reported from Virginia and are as old as any cetacean remains known from the western hemisphere.
Suggested Citation
Weems, R.E., Edwards, L.E., Osborne, J.E., Alford, A., 2011, An occurrence of the protocetid whale "Eocetus" wardii in the middle Eocene Piney Point Formation of Virginia: Journal of Paleontology, v. 85, no. 2, p. 271-278, https://doi.org/10.1666/10-083.1.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | An occurrence of the protocetid whale "Eocetus" wardii in the middle Eocene Piney Point Formation of Virginia |
| Series title | Journal of Paleontology |
| DOI | 10.1666/10-083.1 |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication Date | July 14, 2015 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Paleontological Society |
| Contributing office(s) | Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| First page | 271 |
| Last page | 278 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |