Valenictus is an extinct genus of Odobenidae from the Pliocene of California.
Discovery and naming
Valenictus sheperdi was discovered in 2024 from the Purisima Formation in Santa Cruz, California.[1] The fossil was discovered by thirteen-year old, amateur paleontologist Forrest Sheperd, from whom the specific name is derived.[2]
Description
Valenictus is related to the modern-day walrus, but lacked all teeth both in the lower and upper jaw except for the two tusks.[3]
References
- ^ Boessenecker, Robert W.; Poust, Ashley W.; Boessenecker, Sarah J.; Churchill, Morgan (2023-05-04). "Tusked walruses (Carnivora: Odobenidae) from the Miocene–Pliocene Purisima Formation of Santa Cruz, California (U.S.A.): a new species of the toothless walrus Valenictus and the oldest records of Odobeninae and Odobenini". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 43 (3). doi:10.1080/02724634.2023.2296567. ISSN 0272-4634.
- ^ Bindman, Ariana (2024-02-01). "Striking fossil found along California coast reveals new mammal species". SF Gate. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Walrus". The Nat. San Diego Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
