Figure 1.
Locality map and stratigraphic sections for the Otekaikea marplesi, type locality.
Dot shows the type locality of Trig Z, Gards Road, for Otekaikea marplesi. The foraminiferal zone and isotopic age are explained in the text. The fossil record numbers (f304, 305, 391) are from Graham et al. [24].
Figure 2.
Dorsal views of the type skull, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
Note the asymmetrical vertex, involving the posterior accessory foramina, premaxillary splints, and nodular nasals and frontals. This and other photographs show the fossil whitened by a coating of sublimed ammonium chloride, unless stated otherwise.
Figure 3.
Ventral views of the type skull, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
A more detailed posterior basicranial illustration is in figure 8. Note that the floor of the braincase is crushed dorsally upwards.
Figure 4.
Anterior views of the type skull, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
Figure 5.
Posterior views of the type skull, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
Figure 6.
Left lateral views of the type skull, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
Figure 7.
Details of left basicranium of the type skull, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
Note: the foramen spinosum (covered posteriorly by a small tubercle); the large periotic fossa; and the large carotid foramen.
Figure 8.
Type teeth, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
Scales vary as indicated, depending on the tooth. A–C, incisor. A, presumed lateral view. B, worn surface view (dorsal or ventral). C, line art of the worn end. D–F, single rooted tooth. D, occlusal view. E, posterior view. F, presumed lateral view. G and H, single rooted tooth. G, presumed dorsal or ventral view. H, presumed lateral view. I–M, double rooted tooth. I occlusal view. J, buccal view. K, lingual view. L, anterior view. M, posterior view. The large tusk (A–C) has an exposed pulp cavity.
Figure 9.
Periotic in original position next to the left squamosal, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
Note that the lateral margin of the articulated closely follows the thin falciform process of the squamosal. Fossil is not coated with sublimed ammonium chloride.
Figure 10.
Type left periotic, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
A, medial view. B, lateral view. C, ventral view. D, dorsal view. E, posterior view. F, anterior view.
Figure 11.
Key features of the type left periotic, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
A, medial view. B, lateral view. C, ventral view. D, dorsal view. E, posterior view. F, anterior view. Note the pointed apex of the anterior process, which is unlike Waipatia maerewhenua.
Figure 12.
Type right bulla, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi. A, dorsal view. B, posterior process, dorsal view.
C, ventral view. D, medial view, E, lateral view, F, posterior view, G, anterior view.
Figure 13.
Key features of the type right bulla, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
A, dorsal view. B, posterior process superimposed on figure 13A in proposed life position, dorsal view. C, ventral view. D, medial view. E, lateral view. F, posterior view. G, anterior view.
Figure 14.
Type mandible, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
A–C, right mandible. A, lateral view. B, posterior view. C, medial view. D and E, left mandible. D, lateral view. E, medial view. Note that the distance between the coronoid process and the condyle is short.
Figure 15.
Type cervical vertebrae, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
A–E, anterior views, F–J, lateral views, K–H, dorsal views. A, F and K, atlas. B, G and L, axis. C, G and L, fourth cervical vertebra. I and N, sixth cervical vertebra. E, J and H, seventh cervical vertebra. Note that the cervical vertebrae are relatively long anteroposteriorly and are not fused.
Figure 16.
Type thoracic vertebrae, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
A, first thoracic vertebra. B second thoracic vertebra. C, third thoracic vertebra. D, a posterior thoracic vertebra. E, isolated epiphysis. F and G, three posterior thoracic vertebrae. H–J, a posterior thoracic vertebra, anterior, left lateral and dorsal views.
Figure 17.
Type forelimb elements and ribs, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi.
A–D, left scapula. A, lateral view. B, medial view. C, details of glenoid region. D, distal view. E–H, ulna. E, lateral view. F, proximal view. G, distal view. H, medial view. I–L, four ribs. Note that the rounded broken surface on the scapula, C, suggests the presence of a small coracoid process.
Table 1.
Measurements in mm of holotype, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi: skull and mandibles.
Table 2.
Measurements in mm of holotype, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi: periotic and tympanic bulla.
Table 3.
Measurements in mm of holotype, OM GL 421, Otekaikea marplesi: postcranial elements.
Figure 18.
Reconstructed skull of Otekaikea marplesi.
The anterior of the rostrum and mandibles were reconstructed based on the sister taxon, Waipatia maerewhenua.
Figure 19.
Phylogenetic analysis of Otekaikea marplesi and the Odontoceti.
Top: strict consensus tree from equally weighted analysis 1, showing decay index. Bottom: single shortest tree from implied weighted analysis 2, showing branch length.