desmarestianus

Desmarestianus is a genus of extinct toothed whales belonging to the family Squalodontidae. These prehistoric cetaceans lived during the Oligocene epoch. The genus was established by paleontologist Elmer S. Riggs in 1945, and the type species is Desmarestianus minutus. The name honors French zoologist Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest.

Fossils attributed to Desmarestianus have been discovered in North America, specifically in the United States. These remains indicate that Desmarestianus was a relatively small toothed whale compared to some of its modern relatives. Like other squalodontids, Desmarestianus possessed heterodont dentition, meaning its teeth varied in shape and size, suggesting a diverse diet that likely included fish and squid. Their presence in Oligocene deposits places them within a crucial period of cetacean evolution, following the diversification of early toothed whales and baleen whales.

The study of Desmarestianus contributes to our understanding of early odontocete paleobiology and evolutionary history. Its existence highlights the diversity of toothed whales during the Oligocene and provides insights into the ecological roles they occupied in ancient marine environments. Further research on its fossil record continues to refine our knowledge of this extinct genus.