Filling the palaeobiogeographic gap in mysticetes evolution: New records of baleen whales from the Neogene of the Atacama region, southeastern Pacific, Chile

Abstract

Mysticetes are an iconic group of marine mammals that include the most gigantic microphagous vertebrates that have ever lived on Earth. The fossil record of baleen whales dates back to the early Oligocene, reaching a diversification and widespread distribution during the Miocene, being present along most of the oceans (Atlantic, North and southwestern Pacific, and the Mediterranean). However, along the southeastern Pacific, especially at the Chilean coast, the fossil record of baleen whales remains a mystery. In recent years we increased fieldwork efforts in the Neogene Bahía Inglesa and Coquimbo formations, and performed a critical review of fossil specimens from national collections.