Albertocetus
{{Short description|Extinct genus of mammals}}
{{Italic title}}
{{speciesbox
| fossil_range = {{fossilrange|Rupelian}}
| image=Albertocetus_reconstruction_outline.jpg
| genus= Albertocetus
| parent_authority = Uhen, 2008
| species = meffordorum
| authority = Uhen, 2008
}}
Albertocetus is an extinct genus of primitive odontocete cetacean from early Oligocene (Rupelian) marine deposits in North Carolina, and belonging to the family Xenorophidae.{{cite journal|author=Uhen, M.D.|year=2008|title=A new Xenorophus-like odontocete cetacean from the Oligocene of North Carolina and a discussion of the basal odontocete radiation|journal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontology|volume=6|issue=4|pages=433–452|doi=10.1017/S1477201908002472|bibcode=2008JSPal...6..433U |s2cid=86668273 }}
Description
Albertocetus is a relatively small whale, measuring {{convert|1.82|m|ft}} long and weighing approximately {{convert|51|-|73|kg}}.{{Cite journal |last1=Boessenecker |first1=Robert W. |last2=Ahmed |first2=Erum |last3=Geisler |first3=Jonathan H. |date=2017-11-08 |title=New records of the dolphin Albertocetus meffordorum (Odontoceti: Xenorophidae) from the lower Oligocene of South Carolina: Encephalization, sensory anatomy, postcranial morphology, and ontogeny of early odontocetes |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=12 |issue=11 |pages=e0186476 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0186476 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=5695589 |pmid=29117197|doi-access=free |bibcode=2017PLoSO..1286476B }} It is distinguished from other xenorophids in having a large lacrimal bone, a steep ascending process of the maxilla, a short but present intertemporal constriction with a sagittal crest, and a tall median ridge on the premaxilla. The teeth were heterodont and may have been polydont because other xenorophids are polydont.
References
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{{Odontoceti|O.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q48998575}}
Category:Fossil taxa described in 2008
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