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Description

Ninoziphius platyrostris was a very basal member of the Beaked Whale (family Ziphiidae) lineage. This specie lived during the Late Miocene epoch, with fossils known only from Perú as of 2023.

This species, unlike all but one living species, Shepherd's Beaked Whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi), had functional teeth in the upper and lower mandibles. Unlike contemporary Ziphiids, analysis of the oral apparatus hint that Ninoziphius wasn't using suction to feed; also, their vertebral column indicated that they were less developed for locomotion for deep-diving. This species may have fed on benthic prey, such as small fish and cephalopods.

Description

Ninoziphius platyrostris was a very basal member of the Beaked Whale (family Ziphiidae) lineage. This specie lived during the Late Miocene epoch, with fossils known only from Perú as of 2023.

This species, unlike all but one living species, Shepherd's Beaked Whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi), had functional teeth in the upper and lower mandibles. Unlike contemporary Ziphiids, analysis of the oral apparatus hint that Ninoziphius wasn't using suction to feed; also, their vertebral column indicated that they were less developed for locomotion for deep-diving. This species may have fed on benthic prey, such as small fish and cephalopods.