A new species of Leptophoca (Carnivora, Phocidae, Phocinae) from both sides of the North Alantic Ocean (Miocene seals of the Netherlands, part I)

New material of Leptophoca from The Netherlands, studied in relation to fossil seals from the east coast of North America, sheds new light on past distribution of true seals in the North Atlantic. Based on recent discoveries and additional information, we try here to widen and deepen understanding of pinniped paleogeography. Among the specimens studied are two size clusters. Even the small series of remains justifies distinguishing two sexes. Leptophoca amphiatlantica new species originated on the coast of western Europe (The Netherlands, 15.8 - 16.4 Ma), dispersed across the Atlantic westward, to in the western shore of the North Atlantic, at first in Calvert time (14.2 - 15 Ma) and spread southward in St. Mary’s time (8.5 - 10.5 Ma).