Zygorhiza
| Zygorhiza Temporal range: Late Eocene |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Cetacea |
| Suborder: | Archaeoceti |
| Family: | Basilosauridae |
| Genus: | Zygorhiza True, 1908 |
| Species: | Z. kochii |
| Binomial name | |
| Zygorhiza kochii Kellogg, 1936 |
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Zygorhiza kochii ("Koch's Yoke-Root") is an extinct species of cetacean.
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Zygorhiza was a smaller, less elongated, 6 m (20 foot) long relative of the famous Basilosaurus. Its bodily proportions were similar to those of modern whales, although, unlike modern species, it had a distinct neck, and flippers which could be moved at the elbow. Its hind limbs were rudimentary. Zygorhiza's one-metre (3-foot) skull had fearsome jaws with deadly teeth. Unlike modern cetaceans, it had a neck with seven vertebrae.[1]
Zygorhiza was also featured in the "Back To The Seas" episode of Paleoworld as well as on the "Whales" episode of "The Ultimate Guide" nature series.[specify]
[edit] State symbol
Zygorhiza kochii is the state fossil of Mississippi. The mounted specimen in the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson is commonly referred to as "Ziggy".
[edit] References
- ^ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 231. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
[edit] See also
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