Messapicetus longirostris a new genus and species of Ziphiidae (Cetacea) from the Late Miocene of "Pietra leccese" (Apulia; Italy)

A new genus and species of Ziphiidae (Cetacea), Messapicetus longirostris from lower Tortonian sediments of "Pietra leccese', collected in Cisterna quarry (Lecce), are described. This new genus shows resemblance with Ziphirostrum from the late Miocene of Belgium, but its more elongated rostrum and its laterally compressed braincase warrant a distinction at genus and species level. Well preserved specimens of ziphiids are not common in the fossil record, so Messapicetus longirostris provides a valuable contribution to the knowledge of the phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships of this family. -Authors