Kolponomos enters the LRT basal to seals
Knee-high to a human,
early Miocene Kolponomos (Stirton 1960, Tedford, Barnes and Ray 1994, Fig 1) enters the large reptile (LRT, 2189 taxa) basal to seals like Phoca. In the LRT Kolponomos was derived from Arctodus, the short-faced bear, and Gulo, the wolverine. It is also not far from the base of sea lions in the LRT. A few postcranial bones are known indicating this taxon was amphibious, but not a strong swimmer.
According to Wikipedia,
“The discovery of more fossils including a nearly complete cranium (Fig 1) from the original locality of K. clallamensis which helped identify it as part of the group from which pinnipeds evolved.”
The LRT agrees completely.
“In life, species of Kolponomos had downturned snouts and broad, heavy molars that would have been suited to a diet of hard-shelled marine invertebrates, and their narrow snouts and anteriorly directed eyes indicate that they would have had stereoscopic vision. Large neck muscle attachments and robust foot bones combine with these features to suggest that Kolponomos filled a unique niche among marine carnivores, approached today only by the very distantly related sea otter.”
References
Stirton RA 1960. A Marine Carnivore from the Clallam Miocene Formation, Washington: Its Correlation with Nonmarine Faunas. University of California Publications in Geological Sciences. 36 (7).
Tedford RH, Barnes LG and Ray CE 1994. The early Miocene littoral ursoid carnivoran Kolponomos: Systematics and mode of life (PDF). Proceedings of the San Diego Society of Natural History. 29: 11–32.
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2022/12/25/kolponomos-enters-the-lrt-basal-to-seals/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,599,621,523 |
| Stories: | 8,139,708 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
