In addition to its importance as the earliest true dolphin, this new study also incorporates the most comprehensive analysis of the relationships within the Delphinoidea, the group that encompasses toothed whales. By including Eodelphis in the analysis, the authors were able to get a much clearer picture of the evolution of the toothed whales. Furthermore, the presence of Eodelphis in the Pacific Ocean during the late Miocene has implications for the geographic history of dolphins. While more specimens need to be discovered, this study suggests that dolphins might have had their origins in the Pacific.
This is the CT image of the skull of the holotype of Eodelphis kabatensis.
(Photo Credit: CT Image courtesy Mizuki Murakami)
This is the skull of the holotype of Eodelphis in lateral view.
(Photo Credit: Image courtesy Mizuki Murakami)
This is the skull of the holotype of Eodelphis in dorsal view.
(Photo Credit: Image courtesy Mizuki Murakami)