Cetacea

Fitzgerald, Erich M. G., 2004, A review of the Tertiary fossil Cetacea (Mammalia) localities in Australia, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 61 (2), pp. 183-208 : 186-194

Australian fossil Cetacea localities

VICTORIA ( Fig. 4 )

1. The Otway Basin ( Fig.5 )

1.1 Dutton Way, Portland

Geographic location. This site consists of several disjunct points along south-south-east facing sea cliffs and beach on the north-west side of Portland Bay, north of Portland (38˚19'S, 141˚38'E). Fragmentary material has also been collected from reefs and the seafloor in Portland Bay, in water depths of up to 100 m.

Stratigraphic position. The fossiliferous horizon that has yielded fossil cetaceans has been identified as a phosphatic nodule bed at the base of the Whaler’s Bluff Formation.

Age . Early Pliocene. The onshore Whaler’s Bluff Formation has been dated to zones N18-N19 ( Mallett, 1977). Dating of the offshore deposits of the Whaler’s Bluff Formation indicate that sedimentation continued into the mid-Pliocene (zones N19- N21) ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003). It is likely that most of the fossil cetacean material was derived from the nodule horizon and therefore has a maximum age of earliest Pliocene.

Lithology. The main lithologies present include a basal phosphatic nodule bed, fossiliferous clays, oyster beds, and sandy limestones ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Material. All worn, isolated elements: cranial fragments, periotics, tympanics, teeth, vertebrae, rib fragments.

Fauna. Carcharodon megalodon , Carcharodon carcharias , Isurus hastalis , Isurus sp. , Palorchestidae , Vombatidae , Macropodidae , Ektopodontidae ,? Phocidae , Balaenidae , Balaenoptera sp. , Megaptera sp. , Physeteridae , Ziphiidae , Delphinidae : 2 species.

1.2 Arch Site, Grange Burn ( Fig.6 for localities 1.2–1.4)

Geographic location. Resting on a quartz porphyry bar at the base of a low cliff on the southern bank of Grange Burn, opposite a natural arch, immediately north of “The Caves” property, 8 km west of Hamilton, western Victoria (near 37˚43'30''S, 141˚56'0''E) ( Bearlin, 1987).

Stratigraphic position. Bochara Limestone Member, Port Campbell Limestone, unconformably overlying Devonian Rocklands Rhyolite.

Age . Early Middle Miocene. The foraminifera Lepidocyclina howchini in the matrix suggests a zone N8–N9 (Batesfordian) age for the cetacean fossils from this locality ( Bearlin, 1987).

Lithology. Yellow-brown bryozoal calcarenite.

Material. One partial skeleton.

Fauna. Carcharodon megalodon , Isurus hastalis , Pelocetus sp.

1.3 Clifton Bank

Geographic location. Low cliffs above the riverbank on the western and eastern sides of Muddy Creek (south of the junction of Grange Burn and Muddy Creek), and due west of the “Clifton” property, located 8 km west of Hamilton (near 37˚43'30''S, 141˚56'0''E).

Stratigraphic position. Muddy Creek Marl Member, Port Campbell Limestone. In more complete sections along Grange Burn, e.g. at Pat’s Gully (see Gill, 1957), the Muddy Creek Marl is conformably underlain by the Bochara Limestone ( Gill, 1957), and disconformably overlain by the Grange Burn Formation.

Age . Middle Middle Miocene to early Late Miocene. Sr/Sr dating of shells from 1 m below the base of the Grange Burn Formation, within the Muddy Creek Marl, yielded an age of 10.8 Ma ( Dickinson et al., 2002). The presence of the foraminiferan Orbulina suturalis indicates a zone N10 age (Middle Miocene, Serravallian, 12–14 Ma) ( Abele et al., 1988). However, the Muddy Creek Marl can range as high as zone N16 (up to ~8 Ma) ( Singleton et al., 1976). Acacia pollen have been recorded from the base of the Muddy Creek Marl, at Clifton Bank, which indicate that this member lies above the top of the Cyatheacidites annulatus Zone ( Harris, 1971) ; this suggests that the Muddy Creek Marl Member is younger than 15 Ma. Gill (1957) suggested a Middle or Lower Miocene age (Balcombian) for the Muddy Creek Marl.

Lithology. Richly fossiliferous grey silty marl.

Material. Fossil cetacean elements are generally very well preserved, although no articulated skulls and skeletons have yet been recovered from this unit. Elements preserved include vertebrae, ribs, and periotics.

Fauna. Carcharias sp. , Carcharias taurus , Odontaspis acutissima , Isurus hastalis , Isurus retroflexus , Isurus desori , Isurus planus , Isurus cf. paucus , Isurus sp. , Carcharodon megalodon , Carcharodon sp. , Galeocerdo aduncus , Notorynchus primigenius , Dasyatidae , Heterenchelys regularis , Muraenesox obrutus , Hypomesus glaber , Merluccius fimbriatus , Trachichthodes salebrosus , Sebastodes fissicostatus , Sillago pliocaenica , Diodon formosus , Balaenidae , Scaldicetus lodgei , cf. Physeter sp. , Odontoceti indet.

1.4 Forsyth’s Bank to Fossil Rock Stack

Geographic location. River bank and river bed exposures along and in Grange Burn, south-east of “The Caves” homestead, 8 km west of Hamilton (37˚43'42±03''S, 141˚56'40±04''E.

Stratigraphic position. Grange Burn Formation, unconformably overlying the Muddy Creek Marl. The base of the Grange Burn Formation is marked by a phosphatic nodule bed horizon ( Gill, 1957; Dickinson et al., 2002; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003). In most sections where the top of the Grange Burn Formation is exposed, a basalt layer disconformably overlies the marine sediments ( Gill, 1957). Further to the south-east along the Grange Burn, a terrestrial palaeosol facies is present between the Grange Burn Formation and the basalt.

Age . The Grange Burn Formation has generally been considered as Kalimnan (Early Pliocene) in age, due to the composition of the rich invertebrate macrofauna ( Gill, 1957). Foraminifera dates indicate a zone N17 age ( Mallett, 1977). The basalt above the Grange Burn Formation has been dated to 4.35 Ma using K-Ar ( Turnbull et al., 1965). More recently, Sr/Sr dates from the base of the Grange Burn Formation indicated a 4.0–5.0 Ma maximum age for the formation ( Dickinson et al., 2002). These data indicate an earliest Early Pliocene age for the Grange Burn Formation.

Lithology. Shelly marl and sandy to pebbly limestone ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Material. As is typical of most Mio-Pliocene nodule bed fossil vertebrate material in Victoria, fossils are often rolled, polished, and broken. Almost all specimens represent isolated elements, with associated material being very rare. Typically preserved elements include partial rostra, cranial fragments, isolated periotics and tympanic bullae, teeth, incomplete mandibles, vertebrae, and ribs.

Fauna. Heterodontus cainozoicus , Carcharodon megalodon , Carcharodon carcharias , Isurus escheri , Isurus hastalis , Myliobatis sp. , Edaphodon sweeti , Ischyodus cf. dolloi , Kurrabi sp. , Phocidae , “ Cetotheriidae ”, Balaenoptera sp. , cf. Scaldicetus sp. , cf. Physeter sp. , cf. Mesoplodon sp. ,? Delphinidae .

1.5 Spring Creek

Geographic location. Bed of Spring Creek, near Minhamite, 40 km south-east of Hamilton (near 37˚59'S, 142˚20'E).

Stratigraphic position. Unnamed unit ( Abele et al., 1988). This unit is probably laterally equivalent to the Grange Burn Formation. Gill (1957) mentioned a Kalimnan-aged location “from Goodwood station near Minhamite Railway Station 25 miles (40.2 km) SE of Hamilton” (p. 152).

Age . Presumed Late Miocene–Early Pliocene. T.A. Darragh (pers. comm. to G.G. Simpson, cited in Simpson (1970)) has suggested a Cheltenhamian (Upper Miocene) or older age for the Spring Creek beds near Minhamite. Simpson (1970) suggested that the Spring Creek locality was equivalent in age to the Black Rock Sandstone at Beaumaris.

Lithology. Fossiliferous green-grey marly fine sand approximately 1 m thick ( Abele et al., 1988).

Material. Worn and polished isolated elements: periotics and indeterminate bone fragments.

Fauna. Pseudaptenodytes macraei , Balaenoptera sp.

1.6 Kawarren

Geographic location. Old “Alkemade’s Quarry”, slightly north of Kawarren railway station, on the steep north bank of Loves Creek, Kawarren, about 19 km south of Colac (near 38˚29'S, 143˚35'E).

Stratigraphic position. Clifton Formation ( Abele et al., 1988; McHaffie and Inan, 1988).

Age . In the north-east margins of the Port Campbell Embayment, the Clifton Formation is Late Oligocene ( Abele et al., 1988).

Lithology. The Clifton Formation is generally a mediumcoarse-grained calcarenite, with about 10% quartz and limonite sand ( Tickell et al., 1992). At the Kawarren Quarry, this unit consists of friable, pale yellow limestone interbedded with harder crystalline bands ( McHaffie and Inan, 1988). All of the vertebrate fossils have been recovered from the more friable calcarenite layers.

Material. Generally well-preserved isolated elements, exhibiting a low degree of rolling. Elements preserved include teeth, ribs and bone fragments.

Fauna. Carcharias sp. , Isurus sp. , I surus desori , Carcharoides sp. , Carcharoides totuserratus , Carcharodon angustidens ,? Mysticeti new family.

1.7 Leigh River

Geographic location. Outcrop on the eastern bank of the Leigh River, about 5 km north of Shelford, 46 km north-east of Geelong (near 38˚00'S, 143˚58'E).

Stratigraphic position. Middle section of the Gellibrand Marl ( Abele et al., 1988; Dickinson et al., 2002).

Age . Probably Early Miocene. In the north-east part of the Port Campbell Embayment, the Gellibrand Marl ranges in age from Late Oligocene to Middle Miocene ( Abele et al., 1988). Outcrop along the Leigh River is Early Miocene in age, as the Late Oligocene-aged base of the formation is not exposed, and the youngest Middle Miocene (Bairnsdalian) section has probably been eroded, or not deposited, due to the Leigh River locality being at the embayment margin ( Abele et al., 1988).

Lithology. Marl, calcareous silt, clay, and sand with minor calcarenite layers.

Material. One well-preserved isolated tooth.

Fauna. Isurus sp. , Cetacea indet.

1.8 Hopkins River

Geographic location. North end of outcrop in a quarry on the west bank of the Hopkins River, 150 m south of the Princes Highway bridge over the Hopkins River, near Allansford, about 10 km east of Warrnambool (near 38˚23'S, 142˚35'E).

Stratigraphic position. Port Campbell Limestone sensu stricto ( Abele et al., 1988; Tickell et al., 1992).

Age . Middle–Late Miocene, zones N11-N17 ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Lithology. Yellow fine-grained calcarenite.

Material. A fairly well-preserved posterior part of mandible with two large conical teeth in place.

Fauna. cf. Scaldicetus sp.

1.9 Gibson’s Steps

Geographic location. Cliff at Gibson’s Steps, approximately 12 km east of Port Campbell, western Victoria (near 38˚40'S, 143˚07'E).

Stratigraphic position. Port Campbell Limestone ( Bearlin, 1987; Abele et al., 1988; Tickell et al., 1992).

Age . Bairnsdalian, Middle Miocene, zone N10 ( Bearlin, 1987).

Lithology. Yellow-grey fine-grained calcarenite.

Material. One partial skeleton

Fauna. “ Cetotheriidae ”.

1.10 Curdie

Geographic location. “Kurdeez” Quarry (Victorian Agricultural Lime Ltd), 5 km north-north-west of Curdie, near Timboon (approximately 38˚27'S, 142˚56'E).

Stratigraphic position. Port Campbell Limestone.

Age . Balcombian, correlated with zone N10, Serravallian, Middle Miocene ( Bearlin, 1987).

Lithology. Calcarenite.

Material. One partial skeleton.

Fauna.? Balaenopteridae .

1.11 Princetown Beach

Geographic location. Near Point Ronald, Princetown, 18 km east of Port Campbell, western Victoria (38˚42'S, 143˚09'E).

Stratigraphic position. Nodule bed within the Clifton Formation.

Age . Late Oligocene. Below the unnamed nodule horizon, shells have given Sr/Sr dates of 27.4 Ma ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003). Immediately above the nodule bed Sr/Sr dates average ~24.0 Ma. Foraminifera from the Clifton Formation indicate a zone P21b-P22 age (Late Oligocene).

Lithology. Thin horizon of phosphate and limonite nodules within limestone-sandy limestone matrix.

Material. One worn and polished incomplete rib.

Fauna. Odontaspis sp. , Cetacea indet.

1.12 Castle Cove

Geographic location. One of two possible locations: (1) type locality for the Calder River Limestone along the south-eastern bank of the Calder River, north-west of Hordern Vale, or (2) on the coast 1.7 km south-east of Castle Cove. Both sites are on the western side of Cape Otway, and east of Point Reginald, in the Aire district (near 38˚47'S, 143˚25'E). Etheridge (1878) noted that the holotype tooth of Parasqualodon wilkinsoni was found west of the Aire River.

Stratigraphic position. Calder River Limestone. Fordyce (1982a) suggested that the holotype specimen of Parasqualodon wilkinsoni was derived from the Calder River Limestone, despite the fact that there is no direct evidence that would indicate such a derivation. However, there are two lines of evidence that indirectly suggest the provenance of the holotype of Parasqualodon wilkinsoni : (1) the holotype tooth preserves distinctive features suggesting affinities with Prosqualodon davidis (indeed, this isolated tooth may be congeneric with P. davidis , or even conspecific); the Prosqualodontidae is only known from Late Oligocene–earliest Miocene deposits; (2) McCoy (1867a) stated that the holotype tooth was collected from sandy beds at Castle Cove on the Cape Otway coast; the only fossiliferous marine sediments in this area, which are of suitable age to yield a prosqualodontid tooth, are those of the Calder River Limestone.

Age . Late Oligocene. Lithology. Sandy bryozoal calcarenite with a thin discontinuous basal layer of phosphatic nodules and quartz pebbles ( Abele et al., 1988).

Material. One tooth.

Fauna. Prosqualodon sp. (= Parasqualodon wilkinsoni ).

2. The Torquay Basin ( Fig.7 )

2.1 Split Point ( Fig.8 for localities 2.1–2.7)

Geographic location. Towards lighthouse, at Split Point, near Aireys Inlet, 49 km south-west of Geelong (near 38˚28'S, 144˚06'E).

Stratigraphic position. Point Addis Limestone Member ( Webb, 1995).

Age . Late Oligocene.

Lithology. Yellow sandy bryozoal calcarenite.

Material. One incomplete anterior caudal vertebra, and one worn tooth.

Fauna. Carcharias macrotus , Carcharoides totuserratus , Cetacea indet.

2.2 Point Addis

Geographic location. Cliffs on southern side of Point Addis, south-west of Torquay, central coastal Victoria (38˚23'S, 144˚15'E).

Stratigraphic position. Point Addis Limestone. Most vertebrate fossils have been collected from the base of the upper member of the Point Addis Limestone ( Nicolaides and Wallace, 1997; Webb, 1995).

Age . Late Oligocene ( Abele et al., 1988; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Lithology. Ferruginous intraclastic conglomerate with abraded shelly and vertebrate skeletal components ( Nicolaides and Wallace, 1997; Webb, 1995). This horizon directly overlies a regionally extensive hardground ( Nicolaides and Wallace, 1997; Webb, 1995).

Material. Isolated elements: teeth, tympanic bullae, rare postcranial remains. The material is usually broken and worn.

Fauna. Mammalodontidae .

2.3 Bells Headland

Geographic location. 300 m south-west of Bells Beach, south-west of Torquay (near 38˚22'S, 144˚16'E).

Stratigraphic position. Lower beds of the Point Addis Limestone ( Abele et al., 1988).

Age . Late Oligocene.

Lithology. Sandy bryozoal calcarenite ( Abele et al., 1988). Material. Fossil preservation is generally very good. Cetacean material consists of: one skull and associated ear bones; associated vertebrae, and bone fragments.

Fauna. Mysticeti new family; genus and species 2.

2.4 Bells Beach

Geographic location. On shore platform, low tide mark, base of low cliffs at north-east end of Bells Beach, south-west of Torquay, central coastal Victoria (38˚22'S, 144˚17'E).

Stratigraphic position. Point Addis Limestone

Age . Late Oligocene

Lithology. Yellow bryozoal calcarenite ( Abele et al., 1988).

Material. One partially articulated incomplete skeleton, isolated periotics, and vertebrae.

Fauna. Carcharodon angustidens , Mammalodontidae genus and species indet 1.

2.5 Rocky Point

Geographic location. Low cliffs at Rocky Point, small headland at northern-most end of Bells Beach, about 250 m NE of Bells Beach, south-west of Torquay (near 38˚22'S, 144˚17'E).

Stratigraphic position.?Lower Jan Juc Marl.

Age .?Late Oligocene.

Lithology. Yellow-orange silty and sandy marls.

Material. Indeterminate bone fragments.

Fauna. Cetacea indet.

2.6 Deadman’s Gully

Geographic location. Cliff exposures 600 m south-west of Fishermans Steps, near Deadman’s Gully, south-west of Torquay, central coastal Victoria (near 38˚20'S, 144˚18'E).

Stratigraphic position. Jan Juc Marl, based on the presence of the molluscs Liratomina intertexta and Chione halli (which are restricted to the Jan Juc Marl, T.A. Darragh, pers. comm.).

Age . Late Oligocene.

Lithology. Grey-yellow glauconitic and pyritic carbonatecemented calcarenite.

Material. One partially articulated incomplete skeleton: skull, mandibles, teeth, tympanics, thyrohyal, atlas, axis, cervical vertebra, ribs, scapulae, radius.

Faunal. Mysticeti new family, genus and species 1.

2.7 Bird Rock

Geographic location. Bluff adjacent to Bird Rock stack and cliffs to the south-west, and shore platform exposures from Bird Rock in the north-east, extending 250 m to the south-west; south-west of Torquay, central coastal Victoria (38˚20'54''S, 144˚18'35''E).

Stratigraphic position. Upper Jan Juc Marl ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003; Webb, 1995).

Age . Late Oligocene. Siesser (1979) suggested that the Oligocene–Miocene boundary occurs 2.5 m below the Jan Juc Marl–Puebla Clay contact. Li and colleagues (1999) noted that the local nannoplankton datum used by Siesser (1979) to estimate the position of the Oligocen–Miocene boundary, is no longer valid because the age of this datum is ~24.5 Ma, while the recognised date of the Oligocene–Miocene boundary is 23.8–23.9 Ma ( Berggren et al., 1995). Li and others (1999) provided foraminiferal biofacies evidence indicating that the top of the Jan Juc Marl corresponded to the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene boundary. Furthermore, the Jan Juc Marl–Puebla Clay contact has yielded Sr/Sr dates of 23 ± 1 Ma ( Kelly et al., 2001), consistent with the Oligo–Miocene boundary occurring at the Jan Juc Marl–Puebla Clay contact, and not within the Jan Juc Marl. Foraminifera from the Jan Juc Marl correlate this formation with international foram zones P21-P22, and therefore indicate a Late Oligocene age ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003). Sr/Sr dates have yielded an age of 23.9–27.4 Ma for the Jan Juc Marl exposed at Bird Rock (Dickinson, 2002; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003). These data support a Late Oligocene (Chattian) age for the Jan Juc Marl, and indicate that the beginning of the Early Miocene occurs immediately above the top of the Jan Juc Marl, in the Puebla Clay.

Lithology. Silty glauconitic marl and clayey sandy glauconitic calcarenite ( Abele, 1979; Glover, 1955; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003; Raggatt and Crespin, 1955; Webb, 1995).

Material. Fossil preservation is generally fairly good, however fossils from the upper beds exposed in the bluff are often corroded. Typical elements preserved include ribs, vertebrae, teeth, tympanics, and periotics. Less common are skulls and partially articulated skeletons.

Fauna. Heterodontus cainozoicus , Carcharias elegans , Carcharias taurus , Carcharias sp. , Odontaspis incurva , Carcharoides totuserratus , Carcharodon angustidens , Isurus desori , Isurus planus , Isurus sp. , Dasyatis sp. , Myliobatis sp. , Megalops lissa ( Stinton, 1958) , Pterothrissus pervetustus ( Stinton, 1958) , Heterenchelys regularis ( Stinton, 1963) , Astroconger rostratus ( Stinton, 1958) , Urconger rectus ( Stinton, 1963), Merluccius fimbriatus , Gadus refertus ( Stinton, 1958) , Ophidion granosum ( Stinton, 1963) , Trachichthodes salebrosus ( Stinton, 1958) , Cleidopus carvernosus ( Stinton, 1963) , Sillago pliocaenica ( Stinton, 1958) , Coelorhynchus elevatus , Xiphias sp. , Aves indet., Mysticeti family indet., Mammalodon colliveri ( Pritchard, 1939) , Mammalodon sp. , Mammalodon new species 1, Mysticeti new family, Prosqualodon sp. ,? Eurhinodelphinidae .

2.8 Waurn Ponds Quarry

Geographic location. Waurn Ponds Quarry, operated by Blue Circle Southern Cement Ltd, south of Waurn Ponds (near 38˚12'S, 144˚16'E).

Stratigraphic position. Waurn Ponds Limestone Member of the Jan Juc Formation; a lateral equivalent of the lower part of the Point Addis Limestone ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003; Nicolaides and Wallace, 1997).

Age . Late Oligocene (~24–27 Ma) ( Abele et al., 1988; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003; Nicolaides and Wallace, 1997).

Lithology. Bryozoal calcarenite with some interbedded marls. These sediments are capped by a subaerial exposure surface that is laterally equivalent to a similar horizon at Point Addis. At Waurn Ponds Quarry, this horizon is heavily cemented ( Abele et al., 1988; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003; Nicolaides and Wallace, 1997; Webb, 1995).

Material. The completeness and quality of preservation of fossil cetacean material varies. However, the vast majority of cetacean fossils consist of disarticulated and isolated elements. Some fossils preserve fine surface detail on bones and teeth, whereas others are highly polished and worn with no surface detail present.

Fauna. Carcharias taurus , Carcharias macrotus , Carcharoides totuserratus , Carcharodon angustidens , Isurus desori , Isurus sp. ,? Lamna cattica , Lamna sp. , Carcharhinus sp. , Galeocerdo sp. , Notorynchus cepedianus , Myliobatis sp. , Diprotodontidae (D. Pickering and T. Rich pers. comm.), cf. Mammalodon colliveri , Mammalodon sp. , Mammalodontidae sp. indet., “ Cetotheriidae ”, Mysticeti new genus, Mysticeti family indet., cf. Squalodontidae indet., Odontoceti family indet.

2.9 Ocean Grove

Geographic location. Near Ocean Grove, on the Bass Strait side of the Bellarine Peninsula (near 38˚15'S, 144˚31'E).

Stratigraphic position. Puebla Clay ( Abele et al., 1988).

Age . Early Longfordian (Early Miocene).

Lithology. Calcareous sand ( Abele et al., 1988).

Material. Bone fragments.

Fauna. Cetacea indet.

3. The Port Phillip Basin ( Fig.7 )

3.1 Batesford Quarry

Geographic location. Australian Cement Company quarry south of Batesford, on the western bank of the Moorabool River, west of Geelong (38˚06'S, 144˚17'E).

Stratigraphic position. Batesford Limestone; unconformably overlies Palaeozoic granite, and grades conformably up into the overlying Fyansford Formation ( Abele et al., 1988; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003; Webb, 1995).

Age . The lower 21 m of the Batesford Limestone is Longfordian (Lower Miocene) in age, whereas the upper 12 m of the formation is the Lepidocyclina -bearing type section of the uppermost Lower to lower Middle Miocene Batesfordian local marine stage ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Lithology. Fossil cetaceans have been recovered from the basal beds, which are composed of calcareous sand and gravel. The upper Batesfordian part of the formation consists of biocalcarenite ( Abele et al., 1988; Bowler, 1963; Webb, 1995).

Material. In both upper and lower parts of the Batesford Limestone, cetacean fossils are generally well preserved with only slight mineralisation of original bone. The majority of cetacean fossils have been found in the Batesfordian-age upper beds. Rib fragments and vertebrae are the most commonly represented elements, with tympanic bullae being poorly represented. Elements of the appendicular skeleton and cranial remains are very rare. Only two skeletons represented by associated elements have been recovered from Batesford Quarry.

Fauna. Orectolobus sp. , Carcharias taurus , Carcharodon megalodon , Isurus desori , Isurus hastalis , Isurus oxyrinchus , Isurus cf. oxyrinchus , Isurus planus , Isurus retroflexus , Isurus cf. paucus , Isurus sp. , Lamnidae incerta sedis, Carcharhinus cf. brachyurus , Carcharhinus sp. , Galeocerdo aduncus , Sphyrna sp. , Notorynchus primigenius , Pristiophorus lanceolatus , Labrodon sp. , Spheniscidae , Diprotodontidae indet., “ Cetotheriidae ” indet., Physeteridae ,? Squalodontidae new genus and new species.

3.2 Moorabool River

Geographic location. North-west of Geelong (near 37˚56'S, 144˚09'E).

Stratigraphic position. Lower Maude Formation ( Abele et al., 1988).

Age . Latest Late Oligocene–earliest Miocene (zones P22-N4) ( Abele et al., 1988; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Lithology. Shelly bryozoal calcarenite.

Material. Cetacean material consists of one tympanic bulla and bone fragments.

Fauna. Heterodontus cainozoicus , Carcharias sp. , Isurus sp. , cf. Mammalodontidae .

3.3 North Shore , Corio Bay

Geographic location. Outcrop along north shore of Corio Bay, near Geelong (near 38˚06'S, 144˚24'E).

Stratigraphic position. Fyansford Formation ( Abele et al., 1988).

Age . Youngest part of the Fyansford Formation, representing zone N12 (Bairnsdalian, Middle Miocene) ( Abele et al., 1988).

Lithology. Basal sandy calcarenite passing upwards into calcareous silt and clay with sandy calcarenite interbeds ( Abele et al., 1988).

Material. Bone fragments.

Fauna. Lamna sp. , Cetacea indet.

3.4 Curlewis

Geographic location. Cliff sections along the northern side of the Bellarine Peninsula, near Curlewis (near 38˚11'S, 144˚30'E).

Stratigraphic position. Fyansford Formation ( Abele et al., 1988).

Age . Early Middle Miocene ( Abele et al., 1988).

Lithology. Calcareous clay and marl with thin bryozoal calcarenite interbeds ( Abele et al., 1988).

Material. Bone fragments.

Fauna. Heterodontus cainozoicus , Isurus hastalis , Trachichthodes salebrosus ( Stinton, 1958) , Diodon sp. , Cetacea indet.

3.5 Beaumaris

Geographic location. Coastal exposures located east of Rickett’s Point on the west shore of Beaumaris Bay, north-east shore of Port Phillip Bay (37˚59'S, 145˚03'E).

Stratigraphic position. Basal Black Rock Sandstone ( Abele et al., 1988; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Age . Cheltenhamian to Kalimnan (latest Late Miocene–earliest Early Pliocene) ( Abele et al., 1988; Dickinson et al., 2002; Gill, 1957; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003; Mallett, 1977).

Lithology. Most fossil vertebrates have been recovered from a layer of ferruginous and phosphatic nodules in a matrix of quartz sand and gravel. This nodule bed occurs at the base of the Black Rock Sandstone. Less abundant fossil vertebrates occur in the sediments immediately above the nodule horizon, this layer consisting of calcareous sandstone and sandy marl ( Abele et al., 1988; Gill, 1957; Singleton, 1941).

Material. Cetacean fossils derived from the nodule bed consist of fragmentary, isolated elements that are usually highly worn and polished, having undergone significant post-mortem transport. These fossils include indeterminate bone fragments, ribs, vertebrae, forelimb elements, teeth, rostral and cranial fragments, periotics, tympanic bullae, and incomplete mandibles. Vertebrate fossils from the sandy beds overlying the nodule horizon are better preserved than the nodule material, with a lesser degree of replacement of bone by secondary mineralisation. The sandy bed material includes ribs, vertebrae, teeth, mandibles, periotics, tympanic bullae, middle-ear ossicles, and rare partially articulated skeletons.

Fauna. Heterodontus cainozoicus , Carcharias taurus , Carcharodon megalodon , Parotodus benedenii , Isurus desori , Isurus hastalis , Isurus retroflexus ,? Lamna , Megascyliorhinus sp. , Carcharhinus cf. brachyurus , Carcharhinus sp. , Galeocerdo aduncus , Pristiophorus lanceolatus , Myliobatis sp. , Edaphodon mirabilis , Edaphodon cf. mirabilis , Edaphodon sweeti, Ischyodu s cf. dolloi , Sillago pliocaenica ( Stinton, 1958) , Lactarius tumulatus ( Stinton, 1963) ,? Trionychidae , Pseudaptenodytes macraei ,? Pseudaptenodytes minor , Spheniscidae , Diomedea thyridata ( Wilkinson, 1969) , Zygomaturus gilli ( Woodburne, 1969; Stirton, 1967), Kolopsis sp. cf. K. torus ( Rich et al., 2003) , Phocidae ( Fordyce and Flannery, 1983) , “ Cetotheriidae ” indet., cf. Balaena , Balaenidae indet., Balaenoptera sp. , Megaptera sp. , Physetodon baileyi (probably Physeteridae indet.), Scaldicetus macgeei , Physeteridae indet., Ziphiidae , Delphinidae indet.

4. Gippsland Basin ( Fig.9 )

4.1 Merrimans Creek

Geographic location. Approximately 25 m from the surface, in the Gippsland Cement Quarry on Merrimans Creek, about 19 km south-east of Rosedale, Gippsland, Victoria (near 38˚15'S, 146˚51'E).

Stratigraphic position. Gippsland Limestone Formation ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Age . Longfordian; Early Miocene (planktonic foraminiferal zones N5-N7).

Lithology. Light grey fossiliferous marly limestone and interbedded limestone and marl.

Material. Fragmentary mandible and probable vertebrae.

Fauna. Isurus hastalis, Mysticeti.

4.2 Rose Hill

Geographic location. On Mitchell River, near Bairnsdale, East Gippsland , Victoria (near 37˚49'S, 147˚36'E) .

Stratigraphic position. Tambo River Formation.

Age . Mitchellian (Late Miocene), representing planktonic foraminiferal zones N16-N17. Dickinson (2002) recorded Sr/Sr dates averaging 6.0 Ma for the top of the type section of the Tambo River Formation at Swan Reach.

Lithology. Uniform marl and marly limestone, and glauconitic sandy coquinas ( Abele et al., 1988).

Material. Bone fragments.

Fauna. Cetacea indet.

4.3 Jemmys Point

Geographic location. Low cliffs at Jemmys Point, between the south-east end of “The Narrows”, and the confluence of North

Arm and Cunningham Arm, west of Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland (37˚53'S, 147˚58'E).

Stratigraphic position. Jemmys Point Formation ( Abele et al., 1988; Singleton, 1941; Wilkins, 1963).

Age . Kalimnan (Early Pliocene); planktonic foraminiferal zones N18-N19 ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Lithology. Sandy clay with shell beds ( Abele et al., 1988; Carter, 1985; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003; Wilkins, 1963).

Material. Isolated bone fragments, vertebrae, and one incomplete skull.

Fauna. Carcharodon carcharias , Notorynchus cepedianus , Mesoplodon longirostris .

4.4 North Arm

Geographic location. “Golden Point” property, North Arm, Lake King, near Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland (close to 37˚51'S, 148˚58'E) ( Bearlin, 1987).

Stratigraphic position. Jemmys Point Formation.

Age . Kalimnan (Early Pliocene); planktonic foraminiferal zones N18-N19 ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Lithology. Calcareous shelly sand, with phosphorite concretions ( Abele et al., 1988; Carter, 1985).

Material. One incomplete skeleton comprising: almost complete skull, mandibles, periotics, tympanic bullae, complete series of cervical vertebrae, isolated thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and ribs.

Fauna. Megaptera new species 1.

4.5 Trident Arm

Geographic location. Trident Arm of Lake Tyers, east of Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland, Victoria (near 37˚49'S, 148˚08'E).

Stratigraphic position. Phosphatic horizon at the base of the Jemmys Point Formation (M. Wallace, pers. comm.).

Age . Kalimnan (Early Pliocene); planktonic foraminiferal zones N18-N19 ( Carter, 1985; Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Lithology. Cemented phosphatic and glauconitic calcarenite with Ostrea shells.

Material. One partial cranium.

Fauna.? Balaenidae .

4.6 Newmerella

Geographic location. Railway cutting 3 km west of Newmerella, Orbost district, East Gippsland, Victoria (near 37˚45'S, 148˚24'E).

Stratigraphic position. Probably the Lindenow Sandstone Member, Gippsland Limestone Formation.

Age . Longfordian (Early Miocene), planktonic foraminiferal zones N5-N7 ( Holdgate and Gallagher, 2003).

Lithology. Ferruginised fine quartz sandstone ( Abele et al., 1988)

Material. Cetacean fossils are relatively well preserved. The most significant specimens occur in private collections and these include a mysticete skull and mandibles, and postcranial elements ( Bearlin, 1987). Material in Museum Victoria includes the posterior part of a large mandible, and one large vertebra.

Fauna. Carcharodon megalodon ,?” Cetotheriidae ”.

Figures

Figure 4. Areas with fossil cetacean-bearing localities in Victoria and Tasmania. Solid circles represent fossil Cetacea localities. Modified from Abele et al. (1988) and Holdgate and Gallagher (2003).

Figure 5. Fossil Cetacea localities in the Otway Basin, western Victoria. Solid circles represent fossil Cetacea localities.

Figure 7. Fossil Cetacea localities in the Torquay and Port Phillip basins, central coastal Victoria. Solid circles represent fossil Cetacea localities. Modified from Holdgate and Gallagher (2003).

Figure 9. Fossil Cetacea localities in the Gippsland Basin, eastern Victoria. Solid circles represent fossil Cetacea localities.