Stromerius fossil map
Where fossils of Stromerius have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 30 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 30 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 | 37.71–33.9 million years ago (Priabonian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Basilosauridae |
| Named by | Gingerich 2007 |
| Fossil records | 10 occurrences at 5 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | EG, EH, JO |
| Rock formations | Qasr el-Sagha, Samlat, Wadi Esh-Shallala |
About Stromerius
Stromerius is an extinct genus of basilosaurid early whale known from the Late Eocene (Priabonian, 37.2 to 33.9 million years ago) of Fayum, Egypt (29.6°N 30.6°E / 29.6; 30.6, paleocoordinates 24.9°N 26.5°E / 24.9; 26.5).
Stromerius is known from several well-preserved vertebrae. Distinguishing features for the genus include: long and forward-pointing metapophyses (bony processes) on the lumbar vertebrae; a relatively short lumbar spine with only twelve vertebrae of which four are interpreted as homologous to sacral vertebrae; one of the two thoracic vertebrae found has a dorsally-pointing neural spine interpreted as anticlinal (i.e. the spines of the other vertebrae are inclined towards this specific vertebra) which is a primitive retention in Stromerius not present in other basilosaurids. Stromerius is larger than the contemporary Saghacetus but smaller than the older Dorudon.
Gingerich 2007 made S. nidensis the type species of the subfamily "Stromeriinae", but only mentioned this proposed subfamily briefly in his abstract.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Stromerius (revision 1286363060), 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: Q9080124.
