Maiabalaena

<i>Maiabalaena</i>

Maiabalaena

Extinct genus of whales

Maiabalaena is an extinct genus of baleen whale from the Oligocene of Oregon 33 million years ago consisting of one species: M. nesbittae. It lacks any form of dentition, indicating that baleen whales first evolved tooth loss before evolving baleen. It was likely an efficient suction feeder.[1] The species name is in honor of Washington state's leading paleontologist, Elizabeth Nesbitt.

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References

  1. [1]
    Peredo, C. M.; Pyenson, N. D.; Marshall, C. D.; Uhe, M. D. (2018). "Tooth Loss Precedes the Origin of Baleen in Whales". Current Biology. 28 (24): 3992–4000.e2. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2018.10.047. PMID 30503622.
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