Hapalodectes

Hapalodectes (literal translation 'soft biter'; from ('soft, tender') and ('biter')) is an extinct genus of otter-like mesonychians from the Late Paleocene to Early Eocene, some 55million years ago. Although the first fossils were found in the Eocene strata of Wyoming, the genus originated in Mongolia, as the oldest species is H. dux, which was found in Late Paleocene strata in the Naran Bulak Formation. left|thumb|Life restoration of H. serus The genus was once suggested to be related to the Archaeoceti, such as Pakicetus, due to numerous similarities between the skull and tooth anatomies of