Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > A Dictionary of Zoology > January 1999

Squalodontoidea

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | 700+ words | Copyright

Squalodontoidea (shark-toothed whales; order Cetacea, suborder Odontoceti) An extinct superfamily of toothed whales that comprises the family Squalodontidae and its immediate ancestors. The squalodonts were about the size of modern porpoises, which probably they resembled closely in appearance and behaviour. The teeth in the posterior part of the beak were triangular in shape and resembled those of sharks. The beak was often elongated. The skull was modified to the form characteristic of modern odontocetes and the blow-hole was positioned above and behind the eyes. The superfamily appeared in the late Oligocene and was distributed throughout the world during the early Miocene, but by the middle Miocene it was being replaced by more advanced porpoises and by the Pliocene the last squalodont was extinct.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Squalodontoidea." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Squalodontoidea." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Squalodontoidea.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Squalodontoidea." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Squalodontoidea.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: