Izikoziphius

Izikoziphius is an extinct genus of beaked whale. It contains two species: Izikoziphius rossi, and Izikoziphius angustus.

Etymology

The genus is named after the Iziko South African Museum. Its grammatical gender is masculine. Izikoziphius rossi is named after Dr. Graham James Berry Ross from the Port Elizabeth Museum in South Africa.

Description

Izikoziphius is different from the other genus in the subfamily Ziphiinae in that it has a longer rostrum, and lacks a prenarial basin. Izikoziphius rossi has a rostrum length of 490-530 millimeters, and a width and height of 94-155 and 84-100 millimeters, respectively. It differs from I. angustus in having a rostrum with a mid-length width more than that of its mid-length height. The base of its rostrum is also wider.

Distribution

Fossils of this species were found off the coast of South Africa.