A new Sirenian from the Miocene of Kachchh, Western India

Abstract

A new fossil sirenian metaxytherium kachchhnesis sp. nov. is recorded from the sediments belonging to the Khari series (Lower Miocene) exposed in the Khari River section near Aida in Southwestern Kachchh. On the basis of foraminiferal biostraitigraphy and the associated molluses these sediments have been inferred to be Aquitanian in Age. M. Kachchhensis n - sp. can be differentiated from other species of the genus in several minor features. The species has well developed tusks and temporal crests and a massive. elongated snout without boss. Environments reconstructed for the beds yielding this species indicate littoral to shallow marine conditions