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Zygiocetus nartorum is an extinct species of the polyphyletic family Cetotheriidae and the only known member of the genus Zygiocetus. It lived from 12.1-11.6 Mya in the Late Miocene of the Northern Caucasus and is known from one nearly complete skeleton and two premaxillae. These were found in the Krasnooktyabr’sk Formation in Adygea, near the mouth of the Kurdzhips River, which is hypothesized to have been a bank formed by a bioherm reef.

Taxonomy
This whale was first discovered by Konstantin Tarasenko in 2005. Taransenko named the species after the Nart saga, a traditional folktale from the North Caucasus.

Description
Zygiocetus nartorum is believed to have been between 3.5-4.5m in length. It is distinguished form other Cetotheriidae due to a more elongated skull and a uniquely shaped supraoccipital. ]]

Paleoecology
This whale, as with other Cetotheriidae, is hypothesized to have actively fed similarly to modern gray whales and [[Mallard|mallards]. cite: https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app20120107.html cite:http://jeb.biologists.org/content/214/12/2036