1986/01/01 by Daryl P. Domning, Clayton E. Ray, Malcolm C. McKenna · 8 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Engineering · #Geological Studies and Exploration #Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils #Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis #Systematics #Zoology #Evolutionary biology #Paleontology #Geology #Biology #Taxonomy (biology)
paper · pdf · doi:10.5479/si.00810266.59.1
openalex publication_date 1986/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A new genus, comprising two new species of desmostylians, is de scribed from marine Oligocene deposits of the Pacific Northwest. Behemotops proteus, new genus, new species, is based on an immature mandibular ramus and apparently associated skeletal fragments from the middle or (more likely) upper Oligocene lower part of the Pysht Formation of Clallam County, Washington. A related new species, Behemotops emlongi, is founded on a mandibular ramus of an old individual and a mandibular fragment with canine tusk from the uppermost Oligocene (early Arikareean equivalent) Yaquina Formation of Lincoln County, Oregon. The two new species are the most primitive known desmostylians and compare favorably with the primitive Eocene proboscideans Anthracobune and Moeritherium, and to the still more primitive tethythere Minchenella from the Paleocene of China.