| Zygorhiza Temporal range: Late Eocene |
|
|---|---|
| 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 |
|
Zygorhiza kochii ("Koch's Yoke-Root") is an extinct species of cetacean.
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.
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".