Macrodelphinus Temporal range: Middle Miocene–Late Miocene |
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Macrodelphinus and Eurhinodelphis. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Infraorder: | Cetacea |
Family: | †Eurhinodelphinidae |
Genus: |
†Macrodelphinus Wilson 1935 |
Species: | †M. kelloggi |
Binomial name | |
Macrodelphinus kelloggi Wilson 1935 |
Macrodelphinus kelloggi was an orca-sized relative of the cetacean Eurhinodelphis. It lived off the coast of what is now California during the early Miocene. Because of its size, and inch-long teeth, it is believed to have been an apex predator. Macrodelphinus is known from a fragmentary skull from southern California.