# A new seal from the Late Miocene of the Eastern Paratethys highlights the past regional diversity of true seals (Phocidae)

## TL;DR

A new fossil seal species from the Late Miocene in Moldova reveals new diversity among ancient true seals in the Paratethys region.

## Contribution

The discovery of a new seal species with unique skeletal features adds to the understanding of Miocene seal evolution in the Paratethys.

## Key findings

- A new seal species, Paratethyphoca libera, is described from an articulated skeleton found in the Late Miocene of Moldova.
- The species exhibits distinct anatomical traits such as a long snout and specific bone structures, distinguishing it from other seals.
- Phylogenetic analysis suggests a possible close relationship between Paratethyphoca libera and the living hooded seal Cystophora cristata.

## Abstract

True seals rapidly evolved in many forms in the epicontinental basin of Paratethys during the Miocene. However, most of their nominal taxa so far were proposed based on isolated limb bones, and their taxonomy has long been under discussion. Here we describe a new articulated skeleton MCFFM V-150 of a medium-sized seal with pachyosteosclerotic postcranial bones from the Late Miocene of the present-day Moldova and propose a new genus and species for it—Paratethyphoca libera. It is distinguished in the presence of a supraorbital process of the frontal bone in its posterior portion, a long snout, a proportionally long humerus (88% of the skull length), a short deltoid crest of the humerus, and a low supraspinatus fossa of the scapula. We also suggest this taxonomic identification for other Paratethyan seals. Phylogenetic analysis placed Paratethyphoca libera among other stem Phocinae described so far from the Paratethys; however, its close relationship to a living hooded seal Cystophora cristata cannot be ruled out. Additionally, MCFFM V-150 showed tooth wear interpreted as a sign of suction prey capture strategy, shared by another Paratethyan seal Monachopsis pontica and the living bearded seal Erignathus barbatus.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13358-025-00372-7.