Tupelocetus fossil map
Where fossils of Tupelocetus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 45 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 45 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 | 41.03–37.71 million years ago (Bartonian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Protocetidae |
| Named by | Gibson et al. 2019 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Tupelo Bay |
About Tupelocetus
Tupelocetus is an extinct genus of early cetacean found in the Bartonian (41.3 to 38.0 mya) Middle Eocene Tupelo Bay Formation (33.34444°N 80.23027°W / 33.34444; -80.23027), in Berkeley County, South Carolina.
Tupelocetus is known from a single fossil specimen, holotype ChM PV6950, which consists of a partial cranium consisting of both P2 teeth (premolars), the right orbital, posterior nasal, and multiple pieces of the ears, including complete petrosal bones and rear processes of the tympanic bones. The holotype was collected in 1999 by Billy Palmer, from whom the singular species of the genus, Tupelocetus palmeri receives its name. The specimen Palmer collected, and later prepared and donated, is now part of the Charleston Museum Vertebrate Paleontology Collection.
Tupelocetus differed from other protocetids due to its deep occipital cavity, monocuspid premolars, and large nasal processes. It has been found via tip-dating to be one of the most crownward (or latest surviving) georgiacetine protocetids, along with the genus Aegicetus.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Tupelocetus (revision 1368825755), 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: Q125470560.
