Abstract
The stem odontocete Agorophius pygmaeus (Ashley Formation, lower Oligocene, South Carolina; 29.0–26.57 Ma) has been a critical point of comparison for studies of early neocete evolution owing to its early discovery as well as its transitional anatomy relative to archaeocete whales and modern odontocetes. Some time during the late nineteenth century the holotype skull went missing and has never been relocated; supplementary reference specimens have since been recently referred to the species from the Ashley Formation and the overlying Chandler Bridge Formation (upper Oligocene; 24.7–23.5). New crania referable to Agorophius sp. are identifiable to the genus based on several features of the intertemporal region. Furthermore, all published specimens from the Chandler Bridge Formation consistently share larger absolute size and a proportionally shorter exposure of the parietal in the skull roof than specimens from the Ashley Formation (including the holotype). Furthermore, these specimens include well-preserved ethmoid labyrinths and cribriform plates, indicating that Agorophius primitively retained a strong olfactory sense. These new crania suggest that at least two species of Agorophius are present in the Oligocene of South Carolina, revealing a somewhat more complicated taxonomic perspective.
Highlights
The holotype skull of Agorophius pygmaeus consists of a partial cranium and tooth (MCZ 8761) collected in January 1847 by F.S
Owing to its transitional morphology between Eocene archaeocetes and modern odontocetes, early studies often referred to Agorophius as a key comparative taxon (Whitmore & Sanders, 1977:308–310)
This study reports newly recovered specimens of Agorophius from the Chandler Bridge Formation include two incomplete skulls
Summary
The holotype skull of Agorophius pygmaeus consists of a partial cranium and tooth (MCZ 8761) collected in January 1847 by F.S. Holmes (Curator, College of Charleston Museum) and L.R. Gibbes (Professor, College of Charleston) from exposures of the Ashley Formation at Greer’s Landing near Middleton Place Plantation west of Charleston, South Carolina. Owing to its transitional morphology between Eocene archaeocetes and modern odontocetes, early studies often referred to Agorophius as a key comparative taxon (Whitmore & Sanders, 1977:308–310). The holotype originally belonged to F.S. Holmes, and after some initial study by Louis Agassiz in 1848-1850, the specimen was loaned to Joseph Leidy in 1869; by 1907, the specimen was realized to be lost (see Fordyce, 1981; Godfrey et al, 2016). In 1980, the holotype tooth was rediscovered and described by R.E. Fordyce (1981), though the skull is still missing. Fordyce (1981) published a supplementary description of the skull based on high quality illustrations
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