Definition

Noun: - Family Ziphiidae: A taxonomic family of marine mammals, commonly known as beaked whales. These are cetaceans characterized by a pronounced beak-like snout and, in many species, a reduced number of teeth.

Usage

• The term is used in scientific and zoological contexts to classify and discuss this specific group of whales.
• : The family Ziphiidae includes diverse species like the Cuvier's beaked whale and the bottlenose whale.
• : Researchers are studying the deep-diving behavior of whales in the family Ziphiidae.

Advanced Usage

• In some older taxonomic classifications, members of the family Ziphiidae were categorized within the broader family Physeteridae (which includes sperm whales).

Variants and Related Words

• Ziphiidae: The standard form of the family name in taxonomic Latin.
• Beaked whale(s): The common name for any member of this family.
• Genus Mesoplodon: A prominent genus within the family Ziphiidae, containing many species of beaked whales.

Synonyms

• Beaked whales (common name)
• Ziphiids (informal scientific term)

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Cetacea: The order to which this family belongs.
• Odontoceti: The suborder of toothed whales, which includes the family Ziphiidae.
• Physeteridae: The sperm whale family, from which Ziphiidae was sometimes not distinguished in former classifications.

Noun

1. beaked whales; in some especially former classifications included in the family Physeteridae