Chevrotain-whale evolution - Sidebranch

In the evolution between Step 3 and the 1st chevrotain-whale a sidebranch of freshwater predators split off. This so-called megamouth chevrotain-whale is also known under the name of Magnorostrum sauroides, what means large reptile-like mouth.

The creature is derived from Eocetos suchoides [link] and a contemporary of Primocetos crocodylognathus [link] (also derived from Eocetos suchoides), although the latter was a marine creature. It has a big skull, with a large mouth and extremely big teeth in them in comparison to other chevrotain-dolphin relatives. Just like in all others all teeth are modified molars. The hindflippers are large, while the frontflippers are considerably smaller. It's overall build is extremely robust and unlike most chevrotain-dolphins and relatives the tail is relatively stiff in this creature, although it does support a small tail-fluke.

This 2,5 meter long creature lived in lakes, big rivers and mangrove where it had a lifestyle similar to that of the later crocoracoons. Magnorostrum lives in the lakes of Eastern Africa, some 54 million years into the future (latest Plesiocene to earliest Finocene). The branch had no long lifespan, as they died out some 63 million years from now, 9 million years after Magnorostrum lived, due to climate change.

The creatures that'll eventually descend from it's sister taxon, the real chevrotain-dolphins will look like real dolphins, but will also have characteristics of their own. Curious how they look? I highly reccomend this digital reconstruction of the result of this evolutionary pattern made in Sculptris by Palaeorigamipete:
[link]

P.S. If you like this, become a member (request is automatically approved) of the Neozoic-Project-group, to see more of this appear in the future, or even design your own Neozoic creatures and submit to the group! [link]