A MIDDLE MIOCENE BALEEN WHALE FROM BELE VODE IN BELGRADE, SERBIA

There was a fauna of baleen whales (Cetacea: Mysticeti) in the Central Paratethys, a Miocene water body which covered the area of present-day Central Europe. Most of the fossil baleen whales from the Central Paratethys have been found in strata assigned to the regional Badenian age and comprise endemic forms, known only from this region. Here a new description is provided for a fragmentary skeleton of a whale found in Belgrade, Serbia, and its age context and biological aspects are discussed. This specimen, consisting of a fragmentary horizontal ramus of the mandible and eight caudal vertebrae, is tentatively identified as ?Parietobalaena sp., a globally known Miocene taxon, with related forms having been recorded earlier from the Eastern Paratethys. An early Sarmatian age (i.e., about 12.7-12.4 Ma) is proposed for the specimen. Based on epiphyseal fusion of caudal vertebrae, the specimen’s age is identified as a subadult, with a body length of around 2.5 m and an estimated adult body length around 3-3.5 m, which is extremely small for baleen whales. This find represents one of the latest records of baleen whales in the Central Paratethys and one of the latest published records of Parietobalaena-like taxa in the world

Density and abundance estimates of cetaceans in the Black Sea through aerial surveys (ASI/CeNoBS)

IntroductionPopulation abundance is amongst the most basic and crucial parameters for the assessment of conservation status of any species. Three species of odontocetes, all represented by local subspecies, inhabit the Black Sea: the Black Sea common dolphin Delphinus delphis ponticus, the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus ponticus, and the Black Sea harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena relicta. Their populations are threatened by multiple factors, including overfishing of their prey, bycatch, pollution and epizootics. Despite this, there are no basinwide estimates for any cetacean species in the Black Sea.MethodsIn 2019, a systematic study was carried out under the EU CeNoBS project. Six strata were designed in the waters of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine, covering most of territorial and offshore waters, which were surveyed between June 19 and July 4. A line transect distance sampling approach was used, following predefined transects within each stratum, achieving a 5% coverage of the surveyed area. A total of 7,344 kilometres of transects were surveyed recording a total of 1,744 cetacean sightings. Design-based abundance estimates were obtained using a Multiple Covariate Distance Sampling (MCDS) approach. Model-based abundance estimates were also derived using a Generalized Additive Models (GAM) approach, linking species sightings with a number of environmental covariates (e.g., bathymetric features, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a) over a grid of 10x10 km.Results and discussionThe uncorrected (for perception and availability bias) estimates obtained through the model-based analysis were 108,283 (CV=0.07) common dolphins, 22,720 (CV=0.15) bottlenose dolphins and 93,808 (CV=0.06) harbour porpoises. These aerial surveys yielded the first insights on overall abundance, density and distribution, providing current regional baseline values and density maps for all three cetacean species of the Black Sea during the summer months, to be used for the elaboration of effective conservation measures and to address national and international requirements

Diverse bone microanatomy in cetaceans from the Eocene of Ukraine further documents early adaptations to fully aquatic lifestyle

Basilosauridae, fully aquatic archaeocetes from the Eocene, had osteosclerotic or pachyosteosclerotic structure of ribs and, sometimes, other bones. Such a structure is far different from osteoporotic-like bones of modern cetaceans. A microanatomical and histological study was conducted on axial and limb skeleton of several basilosaurid specimens assigned to the genus Basilotritus, from Bartonian (late middle Eocene) deposits of Ukraine, remarkable for its pachyostotic bones. The postcranial skeleton of these specimens is a complex mosaic of diverse types of bone structure, which include pachyosteosclerotic, osteosclerotic and cancellous elements. The vertebrae have a pachyostotic layered cortex reaching its greatest thickness in the lumbar region. This cortex was strongly vascularized, and its layered structure is due to concentric circles mostly made by longitudinal vascular canals, in addition to cyclical growth lines. Heavy bones are concentrated in the dorsal and ventral areas. Swollen distal ends of thoracic ribs are interpreted as serving as ballast in the ventral area, as also previously proposed for Basilosaurus cetoides. Cortical bone tissue in vertebrae and ribs showed signs of intensive resorption and remodeling. This indicates the use of the axial skeleton not only for buoyancy control but also possibly for calcium and phosphorus recycling

From Problem Taxa to Problem Solver: A New Miocene Family, Tranatocetidae, Brings Perspective on Baleen Whale Evolution

<div><p>Miocene baleen whales were highly diverse and included tens of genera. However, their taxonomy and phylogeny, as well as relationships with living whales, are still a subject of controversy. Here, <i>“Mesocetus” argillarius</i>, a poorly known specimen from Denmark, is redescribed with a focus on the cranial anatomy. It was found to represent not only a new genus, <i>Tranatocetus</i> gen. nov., but also a new family; Tranatocetidae. The whales of this family have the rostral bones either overriding or dividing the frontals; the rostral bones are contacting the parietals and nasals dividing the maxillae on the vertex; the occipital shield is dorsoventrally bent. The tympanic bulla is particularly characteristic of this family featuring a short, narrow anterior portion with a rounded or squared anterior end and a wider and higher posterior portion that is swollen in the posteroventral area. A phylogenetic analysis including 51 taxa supports a monophyletic group comprising most Neogene and modern whales, with Tranatocetidae being possibly closer related to Balaenopteridae (rorquals) than to Cetotheriidae. Tranatocetidae exhibit a charahteristic bulla shape. In fact, all Neogene and modern mysticete families examined have a unique shape of the tympanic bulla that is diagnostic at family-level. Inclusion of problematic taxa like <i>Tranatocetus argillarius</i> in phylogenies brings new understanding of the distribution and diagnostic value of character traits. This underlines the need for re-examination of earlier described specimens in the light of the wealth of new information published in later years.</p></div

<i>Brandtocetus</i>, a new genus of baleen whales (Cetacea, Cetotheriidae) from the late Miocene of Crimea, Ukraine

<div><p>ABSTRACT</p><p>A new cetotheriid baleen whale, <i>Brandtocetus chongulek</i>, gen. et sp. nov., is described from the late Miocene of Crimea, Ukraine. The type series is represented by three partial skulls with periotic bones and tympanic bullae, one of the three belonging to a juvenile. <i>Brandtocetus chongulek</i> has transversely expanded squamosals, ‘S’-shaped nuchal crests, an anterior margin of the occipital shield extending anterior to the center of the temporal fossa, and an elongated posterior process of the tympanoperiotic. The tympanoperiotic and postglenoid process of the squamosal are typical of cetotheriines (as opposed to herpetocetines). Comparison of the juvenile specimen with adults shows no differences in tympanoperiotic anatomy, moderate squamosal growth, and significant growth of the neurocranium after the age of at least 1 year. The phylogenetic analysis including 13 cetotheriids supports the monophyly of Cetotheriidae sensu stricto and suggests the monophyly of whales from the Eastern Paratethys (<i>Brandtocetus</i>, <i>Cetotherium</i>, <i>Kurdalagonus</i>, and possibly <i>Eucetotherium</i>). <i>Brandtocetus</i> and other cetotheriids from the Black Sea region possess cranial features hypothesized to be adaptations to a generalized filter feeding strategy combining different modes of suction feeding.</p> <p>SUPPLEMENTAL DATA—Supplemental materials are available for this article for free at <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/UJVP" target="_blank">www.tandfonline.com/UJVP</a></p> </div

The shape of the tympanic bulla (ventrolateral view) in the phylogeny of baleen whale families.

<p>Balaenidae: <i>Eubalaena glacialis</i>, CU CN 1x. <i>Diorocetus</i>: <i>Diorocetus hiatus</i>, USNM 23494. <i>Aglaocetus</i>: <i>Aglaocetus patulus</i>, USNM 23690. Eschrichtiidae: <i>Eschrichtius robustus</i>, ZMMU 171918. <i>Pelocetus</i>: <i>Pelocetus calvertensis</i>, USNM 11976. Balaenopteridae: <i>Balaenoptera acutorostrata</i>, ZMMU 171919. Tranatocetidae: <i>“Plesiocetopsis hupschii”</i>, RBINS 664 / Reg. 1240. <i>Uranocetus</i>: <i>Uranocetus gramensis</i>, MSM P813. <i>Parietobalaena</i>: <i>Parietobalaena palmeri</i>, USNM 16119. Neobalaenidae: <i>Caperea marginata</i>, NMV C28531; printed under a CC BY license, with permission from Felix Marx, original copyright 2012. Cetotheriidae: <i>Brandtocetus chongulek</i>, TNU Skull 4.</p

The phylogenetic tree of <i>Tranatocetus argillarius</i> and related taxa of baleen whales.

<p>The tree is the consensus of 12 most parsimonious trees (501 step, CI = 0.33, RI = 0.66). The age values are provisionally indicated as the earliest estimates and are based on the review by Fordyce and Marx [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0135500#pone.0135500.ref008" target="_blank">8</a>], as well as on original descriptions.</p

Postcranial skeletal elements of <i>Tranatocetus argillarius</i>.

<p>A–D, MGUH VP 2319: A, hyoid. B, axis. C, humerus. D, scapula. E, MGUH VP 2320, scapula in lateral view.</p

Mandible of <i>Tranatocetus argillarius</i>.

<p>MGUH VP 2319: A, dorsal view. B, lateral view. C, medial view. D, posterior view. MGUH VP 2320: F, the cross-section of the anterior portion.</p