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Morphological and Molecular Analysis of Pinnipedia(Otariodae, Odobenidae, Phocidae); with Classification of New Fossil Material
Author(s) -
Hafed Azizah,
Rahmat Sulman,
Koretsky Irina
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.s1.03386
Subject(s) - postcrania , biology , skull , subfamily , phylogenetic tree , evolutionary biology , taxon , arboreal locomotion , extant taxon , morphology (biology) , osteology , zoology , paleontology , ecology , habitat , biochemistry , gene
There remains disagreement surrounding the relationship of taxa within pinnipeds (Odobenids, Otariids, and Phocids) as well as unresolved phylogenetic affinities. Molecular‐based studies neglect significant morphological data and ignore the entire fossil record, both important for classification and evolutionary history. Molecular studies also present contradictory results from other molecular studies and morphology‐based studies. Here, we present new specimens of the Family Phocidae (true seals) deposited in the Windmill Point, St. Mary's Formation (Miocene) of the Calvert Cliffs in Maryland. The new material includes a partial skull, mandibles, humerus, femur and innominate bones. This study compares the morphological features of the new “Calvert material” with the characters of the four known true seals subfamilies: the extant Phocinae, Cystophorinae, Monachinaeand the extinct Devinophocinae. Morphological assessment of the new mandibles suggests they belong to either the subfamily Phocinaeor Monachinae. The partial skull and postcranial bones possess characters similar to representatives of the subfamily Phocinae. Future studies will determine generic and species classification of this new material, aiding in resolving the contention of pinniped phylogenetic relationships.