Dorudontinae

fossil mammal subfamily

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July 15, 2026

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The Dorudontinae are an extinct subfamily of basilosaurids, which were early whales that lived from the middle Eocene to the late Oligocene Epoch (about 41 to 23 million years ago). These ancient whales were truly aquatic and are considered to be among the earliest ancestors of modern cetaceans.12

Key characteristics of basilosaurids, including Dorudontinae, include:
* Flukes similar to modern whales.1
* Triangle-shaped teeth.1
* Small hind limbs, which were not connected to the main skeleton and likely too small for swimming.1
* An elongated body and tail.1

The Dorudontinae subfamily is thought to have given rise to both living suborders of cetaceans: baleen whales and toothed whales.2

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basilosaurid
…are separated into four subfamilies: Dorudontinae, Basilosaurinae, Kekenodontinae, and Stromeriinae. The earliest dorudontines were the earliest basilosaurids, with long skulls and relatively short bodies. Basilosaurines are the archetypal basilosaurids, with elongated vertebrae and long tails. The kekenodontines consist of the single genus Kekenodon, which was only poorly known and is…
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…are separated into four subfamilies: Dorudontinae, Basilosaurinae, Kekenodontinae, and Stromeriinae. The earliest dorudontines were the earliest basilosaurids, with long skulls and relatively short bodies. Basilosaurines are the archetypal basilosaurids, with elongated vertebrae and long tails. The kekenodontines consist of the single genus Kekenodon, which was only poorly known and is…
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cetacean
Paleontology
…subfamily of the Basilosauridae, the Dorudontinae, is thought to have given rise to both living suborders of cetaceans (baleen whales and toothed whales) sometime during the Late Oligocene Epoch. Evidence of the evolution of bony structures involved in echolocation appears in toothed whales from the Late Oligocene. The earliest toothed…
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…subfamily of the Basilosauridae, the Dorudontinae, is thought to have given rise to both living suborders of cetaceans (baleen whales and toothed whales) sometime during the Late Oligocene Epoch. Evidence of the evolution of bony structures involved in echolocation appears in toothed whales from the Late Oligocene. The earliest toothed…
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