Arktocara ("Platanista gangetica") which inhabits the tropics, making it its closest living relative. Allodelphinidae also included the genera "Allodelphis", "Goedertius", "Ninjadelphis", and "Zarhinocetus". Its discovery further reinforces the theory that the Platanistoidea river dolphins originated in the oceans. Of the characteristics it shared with other platanistoids was a cylindrical projection of the periotic bone in the ear, deeply grooved rostral sutures on the beak, the widening of the cranium, a depression on the roof of the orbit in the eye socket, a smaller exposed palatine bone in the roof of the mouth, an elongated and convex spine in the tympanic bulla
Patna Marathon "Gangetic Dolphin" has been chosen as the Mascot for Patna Marathon. It has been named "Paltan" which is derived from the biological name of the species "Platanista Gangetica". The mascot has been developed to raise awareness about the conservation needs of the most threatened cetacean and among the world's most threatened mammals and its habitat. Patna Marathon is organized by the Bihar Entrepreneur network (BEN) in association with Bihar Society, Karma Society and various other individuals and organizations. Patna Marathon The Patna Marathon 2012 (PM 2012) is the first international-level marathon organised in Patna, Bihar, India. First edition was held