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Article: Palaeobiogeography of the North Pacific toothed mysticetes (Cetacea, Aetiocetidae): a key to Oligocene cetacean distributional patterns

Palaeontology - Vol. 64 Part 1 - Cover Image
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 64
Part: 1
Publication Date: January 2021
Page(s): 51 61
Author(s): Atzcalli E. Hernández Cisneros, and Jorge Velez‐Juarbe
Addition Information

How to Cite

CISNEROS, A.E.H., VELEZ‐JUARBE, J. 2021. . Palaeontology, 64, 1, 51-61. DOI: /doi/10.1111/pala.12507

Author Information

  • Atzcalli E. Hernández Cisneros - Instituto Politécnico Nacional Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional S/N, Playa Palo de Santa Rita, Apdo. Postal 592 CP 23096 La Paz Baja California Sur, Mexico
  • Jorge Velez‐Juarbe - Department of Mammalogy Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd Los Angeles CA 90007 USA
  • Jorge Velez‐Juarbe - Department of Paleobiology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC 20560 USA

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 28 February 2021
  • Manuscript Accepted: 31 July 2020
  • Manuscript Received: 17 February 2020

Funded By

CONACYT/Becas México. Grant Number: 513362/290143
Becas de Movilidad CONACYT. Grant Number: 291276
Becas Movilidad Estudiantil CICIMAR‐IPN
CCA‐IPN

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library
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Abstract

Biogeographical distributional patterns of cetaceans reflect dispersal events and colonization of the oceans from their ancestral area in the ancient Sea of Tethys ~53 Ma. Likewise, they reveal several vicariance events throughout the evolutionary history of this group. However, our understanding of how these processes took place and what biogeographical scenarios occurred among the different groups of cetaceans through time is limited. Consequently, this work focuses on explaining the distributional patterns of the well‐known North Pacific toothed mysticetes, Aetiocetidae, through the power of retrodiction offered by track analysis (panbiogeography) and cladistic biogeography, using the approach of evolutionary biogeography. Our results show that the distributional patterns of Aetiocetidae explain their endemism in the North Pacific, as well as indicating that their hypothetical ancestor probably colonized the Pacific from the Atlantic Ocean by a dispersal event (founder effect) via the Central American Seaway. Furthermore, their biogeographical history shows that the adaptive radiation (cladogenesis) of Aetiocetidae is result of peripatric speciation followed by sympatric speciation within a heterogeneous environment. Finally, the biogeographical framework of Aetiocetidae further supports the relevant role that the Pacific Ocean has played in the evolution of Oligocene cetaceans as a geographical area that promoted endemism, dispersal and colonization. At more local scales, environmental conditions further promoted increased diversity and disparity amongst Mysticeti.

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