Family Physeteridje
S p e r m a n d Z i p h io id W h a l e s
‘ All or most of the cervicals ankylosed. Costal cartilages not ossified.
Pterygoids thick and meeting in middle line; lachrymal bones distinct and large;
symphysis of mandible long. Teeth found in both jaws, but those of the lower
jaw alone functional, often very reduced in number. Pectoral limb smallish.
Throat furrowed by two or more furrows’ (Beddard.)
The family is frequently subdivided into Physeterinae and Ziphiinae or considered
as two distinct families, the latter being distinguished by the smaller number
of functional teeth and by the distinct malar bone.
Genus Physeter
Represented by a single species, the characters of which are given below.
