Archaeophocaena fossil map
Where fossils of Archaeophocaena have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 5 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 5 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 7.246–5.333 million years ago (Messinian) |
| Periods | Neogene |
| Family | Phocoenidae |
| Named by | Murakami et al. 2012 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Japan |
| Rock formations | Koetoi |
About Archaeophocaena
Archaeophocaena teshioensis is a species of extinct porpoise from the Late Miocene Koetoi Formation of Japan living around 6.4–5.5 million years ago (mya). The holotype specimen comprises a partial skull. The animal, along with Miophocaena and Pterophocaena, seem to represent an intermediary phase between porpoises and dolphins. The genus name derives from Ancient Greek archaeo, "ancient," and Latin phocaena, "porpoise"; the species name honors the Teshio District where the holotype was discovered.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Archaeophocaena (revision 1313392229), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q60791410.
