Awadelphis fossil map
Where fossils of Awadelphis 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 | 7.246–3.6 million years ago (Messinian to Zanclean) |
| Periods | Neogene |
| Named by | Murakami 2016 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Japan |
| Rock formations | Senhata |
About Awadelphis
Awadelphis hirayamai is a species of extinct oceanic river dolphin discovered in the Senhata Formation of Japan dating around 6 million years ago (mya). The genus name derives from Awa, an ancient name for the Chiba Prefecture where the holotype specimen was collected, and Ancient Greek delphis meaning "dolphin"; the species name honors the discoverer of the holotype, Ren Hirayama. It may have inhabited a subpolar environment. Awadelphis and other river dolphins of the Late Miocene may have been in abundance due to the decline of competing ancient dolphins and porpoises.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Awadelphis (revision 1313486504), 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: Q60791411.
