Maiabalaena

Maiabalaena; Temporal range: Early Oligocene, 33 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Infraorder:	Cetacea
Genus:	†Maiabalaena; Peredo et al., 2018
Species:	†M. nesbittae
Binomial name
	†Maiabalaena nesbittae; Peredo et al., 2018

Maiabalaena is an extinct genus of baleen whale from the Oligocene of Oregon 33 million years ago consisting of one species: M. nesbittae. It lacks any form of dentition, indicating that baleen whales first evolved tooth loss before evolving baleen. It was likely an efficient suction feeder.[1] The species name is in honor of Washington states leading paleontologist, Elizabeth Nesbitt.

References

Peredo, C. M.; Pyenson, N. D.; Marshall, C. D.; Uhe, M. D. (2018). "Tooth Loss Precedes the Origin of Baleen in Whales". Current Biology. 28 (24): 3992–4000.e2. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2018.10.047. PMID 30503622.

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[1] Peredo, C. M.; Pyenson, N. D.; Marshall, C. D.; Uhe, M. D. (2018). "Tooth Loss Precedes the Origin of Baleen in Whales". Current Biology. 28 (24): 3992–4000.e2. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2018.10.047. PMID 30503622.