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Background  Discovered on the southern margin of the North Sea Basin, “ Phoca ”  vitulinoides  represents one of the best-known extinct species of Phocidae. However, little attention has been given to the species ever since its original 19th century description. Newly discovered material, including the most complete specimen of fossil Phocidae from the North Sea Basin, prompted the redescription of the species. Also, the type material of “ Phoca ”  vitulinoides  is lost.    Methods  “ Phoca ”  vitulinoides  is redescribed. Its phylogenetic position among Phocinae is assessed through phylogenetic analysis. Dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy is used to determine and reassess the geological age of the species. Myological descriptions of extant taxa are used to infer muscle attachments, and basic comparative anatomy of the gross morphology and biomechanics are applied to reconstruct locomotion.    Results  Detailed redescription of “ Phoca ”  vitulinoides  indicates relatively little affinities with the genus  Phoca , but rather asks for the establishment of a new genus:  Nanophoca  gen. nov. Hence, “ Phoca ”  vitulinoides  is recombined into  Nanophoca vitulinoides . This reassignment is confirmed by the phylogenetic analysis, grouping the genus  Nanophoca  and other extinct phocine taxa as stem phocines. Biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy expand the known stratigraphic range of  N. vitulinoides  from the late Langhian to the late Serravallian. The osteological anatomy of  N. vitulinoides  indicates a relatively strong development of muscles used for fore flipper propulsion and increased flexibility for the hind flipper.    Discussion  The extended stratigraphic range of  N. vitulinoides  into the middle Miocene confirms relatively early diversification of Phocinae in the North Atlantic. Morphological features on the fore- and hindlimb of the species point toward an increased use of the fore flipper and greater flexibility of the hind flipper as compared to extant Phocinae, clearly indicating less derived locomotor strategies in this Miocene phocine species. Estimations of the overall body size indicate that  N. vitulinoides  is much smaller than  Pusa , the smallest extant genus of Phocinae (and Phocidae), and than most extinct phocines.

peerj

Reappraisal of the extinct seal “<i>Phoca</i>”<i>vitulinoides</i>from the Neogene of the North Sea Basin, with bearing on its geological age, phylogenetic affinities, and locomotion

Reappraisal of the extinct seal “Phoca”vitulinoidesfrom the Neogene of the North Sea Basin, with bearing on its geological age, phylogenetic affinities, and locomotion