New data on the early odobenid <i>Neotherium mirum</i> Kellogg, 1931, and other pinniped remains from the Sharktooth Hill Bonebed, California

Deposited over a short period of time during the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum, the Sharktooth Hill Bonebed in California is one of the world’s densest marine vertebrate concentrations. Pinnipeds are represented here by odobenids and desmatophocids, but some are still poorly known. Herein, the mandibular morphology of the odobenid Neotherium mirum is described in detail. Its morphology resembles that of early pinnipedimorphs, with postcanine teeth consisting of three or four longitudinally aligned cusps and double-rooted p2–m1, but shows derived characteristics such as reduced metaconid and bilobed canine root. Additionally, Neotherium is represented by two distinct size classes, which is likely the earliest evidence of sexually dimorphic body size in odobenids. Two additional mandibles represent other pinnipeds. One represents an unknown odobenid, with a unique suite of morphological characteristics setting it apart from contemporaneous odobenids such as Neotherium and Pelagiarctos. The other reconfirms the presence of Allodesmus cf. A. sadoensis, a species otherwise known from the middle Miocene of Japan. This species is distinguished from Allodesmus kernensis, based on anteriorly crowded and reduced postcanine dentition. This record adds further support for the presence of this taxon in the middle Miocene of California and represents the earliest evidence of trans-Pacific dispersal in pinnipeds. The Sharktooth Hill pinniped assemblage now consists of five species: the odobenids Neotherium mirum, Pelagiarctos thomasi, an unknown odobenid, and the desmatophocids Allodesmus kernensis and Allodesmus cf. A. sadoensis. Niche partitioning within this sympatric pinniped community was possible due to differences in body size, and feeding and foraging preferences.