Dagonodum is an extinct genus of ziphiid cetacean known from Tortonian age marine deposits in the Gram Formation in Denmark. There is only one known species, Dagonodum mojnum.[1]

Dagonodum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Ziphiidae
Genus: Dagonodum
Ramassamy, 2016
Species:
D. mojnum
Binomial name
Dagonodum mojnum
Ramassamy, 2016

Etymology

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The genus name is a reference to the god Dagon, worshiped as the head god and as a deity of prosperity in ancient inland Syria, but best known from H.P. Lovecraft's short story, where he is instead depicted as deep-sea deity. The species name is a reference to the word for "goodbye" in the local South Jutlandic dialect where the fossils were found. The word, "mojn", is of German origin, where it is used as both a greeting and a farewell.[1]

Taxonomy

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The species is distinguished by its two pairs of mandibular tusks and long snout. It also possessed a long neck, leading to speculation that it wasn't well suited to deep-dives.[1]

Feeding

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The species is notable for its difference from other ziphiidae of the period in that it seems to be less reliant on suction feeding.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Dagonodum mojnum". www.gbif.org.
  2. ^ Ramassamy, Benjamin; Lauridsen, Henrik (2019). "A new specimen of Ziphiidae (Cetacea, Odontoceti) from the late Miocene of Denmark with morphological evidence for suction feeding behaviour". Royal Society Open Science. 6 (10): 191347. Bibcode:2019RSOS....691347R. doi:10.1098/rsos.191347. PMC 6837206. PMID 31824732.