a new platanistoid dolphin from the Oligocene of New Zealand with a unique feeding method.

Pre-Miocene, stem odontocetes are known for their procumbent incisors and their function has been the subject of much speculation. Notable among these were and several related taxa from New Zealand. Though some studies hypothesise the function of these teeth was for thrusting, the here described has unique teeth which might have formed a cage around small fish. These teeth, along with a weak vertex, flexible neck, and the smallest size among its relatives would make it a capable hunter in shallow waters. The addition of along with other taxa to phylogenetic analyses show three broad groups within taxa related to and based on the divergence of the function of their teeth and the possible feeding strategies employed to catch prey.