Pacificotaria fossil map
Where fossils of Pacificotaria have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 15 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 15 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 | 20.45–15.98 million years ago (Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Neogene |
| Named by | Barnes 1992 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Astoria |
About Pacificotaria
Pacificotaria is an extinct genus of basal pinnipediform that lived in Oregon during the early to middle Miocene epoch. The only species of this genus is Pacificotaria hadromma making it a monotypic genus.
It is a possible junior synonym of Pteronarctos. However, it is distinguished from its protruding orbits that is positioned further anteriorly on the cranium, its larger bony nares, a robust rostrum, a vaulted palate, and straighter upper cheek tooth rows.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Pacificotaria (revision 1331348779), 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: Q123015160.
