squalodontids

Squalodontids were an extinct family of toothed whales belonging to the order Odontoceti. These ancient cetaceans lived during the Oligocene and Miocene epochs, approximately 34 to 5 million years ago. They are known from fossil remains found in various parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Australia. Squalodontids are characterized by their heterodont dentition, meaning they possessed teeth of different shapes and sizes, a feature uncommon in modern toothed whales which generally have homodont teeth (all teeth are similar). Their teeth were often conical and sharp, suggesting a diet of fish and squid.

The family Squalodontidae has been subject to taxonomic revision over time, and some genera previously assigned to it are now placed in other groups. However, the defining characteristic remains their diverse tooth morphology. Their skull anatomy shows a mix of primitive and derived features, reflecting their position in the evolutionary history of cetaceans. Squalodontids likely inhabited both coastal and open marine environments. Their extinction is thought to be related to environmental changes and competition with other marine mammals that evolved more specialized adaptations. The study of squalodontids provides valuable insights into the early diversification and evolution of toothed whales.