Ankylorhiza fossil map
Where fossils of Ankylorhiza have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 15 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 15 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 33.9–5.333 million years ago (Rupelian to Messinian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Agorophiidae |
| Named by | Boessenecker et al. 2020 |
| Fossil records | 16 occurrences at 6 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Ashley, Pungo River, txn:42969, Chandler Bridge |
About Ankylorhiza
Ankylorhiza (meaning "fused roots"; in reference to the type of dentition seen in early toothed whales) is an extinct genus of toothed whale that lived in what is now the United States during the Oligocene epoch, between 29 and 23.5 million years ago. The type and only known species is A. tiedemani, though two fossil skeletons may represent an additional, second species within the genus. Ankylorhiza was about 4.8 meters (16 ft) long, with a long, robust skull bearing conical teeth that were angled forwards at the tip of the snout.
Ankylorhiza is the largest known Oligocene toothed whale and is one of the most completely known early members of this group, with characteristics intermediate between basal and derived cetaceans. The taxon would have had powerful jaw musculature and probably fed on large prey by seizing it and puncturing it with its robust teeth. The animal likely occupied a fast-swimming predator niche similar to that of living orcas.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Ankylorhiza (revision 1380852341), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q97137902.
