Physornis

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Physornis
Temporal range: Mid-Late Oligocene (Deseadan)
~29.2–26.3  Ma
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Cariamiformes
Family:† Phorusrhacidae
Genus:† Physornis
Species:
†P. fortis
Binomial name
†Physornis fortis
Ameghino 1894
Synonyms
  • Aucornis eurhynchusAmeghino 1898

Physornis is an extinct genus of giant flightless predatory birds of the family Phorusrhacidae or "terror birds", most closely related to Paraphysornis , that lived in Argentina. The type species is P. fortis. It lived during the Middle to Late Oligocene (Deseadan). Few fossils are known, but the available material suggests that Physornis was one of the largest phorusrhacids. [1]

Contents

History and taxonomy

The holotype of Physornis (BMNH-A583) is a 137 mm long portion of a symphysis and the right branch of this lower jaw, described in 1894 by paleontologist Florentino Ameghino. He published the name, together with a description but without a drawing, in the same year. [2] [1] The fossil was collected from the Oligocene layers of Santa Cruz Province, Argentina and the Deseadan era SALMA, making it one of the older known phorusrhacid species. [1] The type specimen of Physornis fortis is very fragmetary and besides the type symphysis has virtually no other characteristics, and this has caused the validity of the species to come into question. [3] [1] [2] Ornithologist and paleontologist Bryan Patterson suggested that the type specimen could be from the pelvis of a mammal, claiming that it is a nomen dubium . [3] [2] However in 2003 during their review of phorusrhacidae, Herculano Alvarenga and Elizabeth Höfling found the type symphysis to be diagnostic and from a large phorusrhacid similar to Paraphysornis and Brontornis , [1] though the latter has since been suggested to be a galliform. [4]

Florentino Ameghino named another genus and species of phorusrhacid in 1898, Aucornis eurhynchus, based on a partial mandibular symphysis, proximal tarsometatarsus, and 3 pedal phalanges recovered from the "cretaceo de Patagonia", though these fossils most likely date to the Oligocene instead. [1] [2] This species has been synonymized with Physornisfortis based on the anatomy of the symphysis. [1] [2] Another species, Aucornis solidus, was named the next year by Ameghino based on a proximal portion of a phalanx from the third toe found in the same area. [1] [2] Brodkorb synonymized it with Physornis fortis in 1967, but it could also be synonymous with Andrewsornis abbotti, making it a species inquirenda . [1]

In 1982, Herculano Alvarenga named a new species of Physornis, Physornis brasiliensis, based on a 75% complete skeleton from the Upper Oligocene - Lower Miocene layers of São Paulo, Brazil. [5] A decade later in 1993, Alvarenga came to the conclusion that it was actually its own genus of Phorusrhacid that he named Paraphysornis. [6]

Description

Physornis has been referred to the Brontornithinae subfamily, the largest and most solidest shock birds, though Brontornis itself is likely not a Phorusrhacid. Physornis probably had a huge size, possibly even approaching to that of Brontornis. The Symphysis Mandibulae is remarkably short and wide and has a characteristic ventral surface in the middle section. The lateral edge of the Hypotarsus is, seen from behind, an excellent comb that clearly distinguishes the genus Paraphysornis and Brontornis. [2] [1] The lateral cotyle of the tarsometatarsus is almost square when it is seen from close by. [1]

Classification

Ameghino originally classified Physornis with his taxa Phorusrhacos and Tolmodus, though in years since it has also been classified closest to Brontornis and Paraphysornis , the former possibly being a type of gastornithid or Anseriform instead. [4] The following phylogenetic tree shows the internal relationships of Phorusrhacidae under the exclusion of Brontornis as published by Degrange and colleagues in 2015, which recovers Physornis as a member of a large clade that includes Patagornis, Phorusrhacos and Andalgalornis, among others. [7]

Cariamiformes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phorusrhacidae</span> Extinct family of flightless birds

Phorusrhacids, colloquially known as terror birds, are an extinct family of large carnivorous, mostly flightless birds that were among the largest apex predators in South America during the Cenozoic era. Their definitive fossil records range from the Middle Eocene to the Late Pleistocene around 43 to 0.1 million years ago, though some specimens suggest that they were present since the Early Eocene.

<i>Phorusrhacos</i> Extinct genus of birds

Phorusrhacos is an extinct genus of giant flightless terror birds that inhabited South America during the Miocene epoch. Phorusrhacos was one of the dominant land predators in South America at the time it existed. It is thought to have lived in woodlands and grasslands.

<i>Titanis</i> Genus of terror bird (Phorusrhacidae)

Titanis is a genus of phorusrhacid, an extinct family of large, predatory birds, in the order Cariamiformes that inhabited the United States during the Pliocene and earliest Pleistocene. The first fossils were unearthed by amateur archaeologists Benjamin Waller and Robert Allen from the Santa Fe River in Florida and were named Titanis walleri by ornithologist Pierce Brodkorb in 1963, the species name honoring Waller. The holotype material is fragmentary, consisting of only an incomplete right tarsometatarsus and phalanx, but comes from one of the largest phorusrhacid individuals known. In the years following the description, many more isolated elements have been unearthed from sites from other areas of Florida, Texas, and California. It was classified in the subfamily Phorusrhacinae, which includes some of the last and largest phorusrhacids like Devincenzia and Kelenken.

<i>Andalgalornis</i> Extinct genus of birds

Andalgalornis is a genus of flightless predatory birds of the extinct family Phorusrhacidae that lived in Argentina. The type and only species is A. steulleti.

<i>Brontornis</i> Extinct genus of birds

Brontornis is an extinct genus of giant bird that inhabited Argentina during the Early to Middle Miocene. Its taxonomic position is highly controversial, with authors alternatively considering it to be a cariamiform, typically a phorusrhacid or an anserimorph.

<i>Strigogyps</i> Extinct genus of birds in the familie Ameghinornithidae

Strigogyps is an extinct genus of prehistoric bird from the Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene of France and Germany. It was probably around the size of a large chicken or a guan, weighing not quite 1 kilogram (2.2 lb). Apparently, as indicated by the ratio of lengths of wing to leg bones, S. sapea was flightless. Its legs were not adapted to running, so it seems to have had a walking lifestyle similar to trumpeters. Unlike other Cariamiformes which appear to have been mostly carnivorous, the specimens of one species, Strigogyps sapea, suggest a facultatively herbivorous or omnivorous diet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophiornithidae</span> Extinct family of birds

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<i>Mesembriornis</i> Extinct genus of birds

Mesembriornis is a genus of intermediate-sized phorusrhacids that grew up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height. They represent a well-distinct lineage of terror birds, differing from the massive large groups and the smaller Psilopterinae. In general proportions, they most resembled the Patagornithinae which flourished somewhat earlier, mainly to the south of the range of Mesembriornis. Fossils of the terror bird have been found in Montehermosan deposits of the Monte Hermoso Formation, as well as the Andalgala Formation and Chapadmalal Formation in Argentina.

<i>Paraphysornis</i> Extinct genus of birds

Paraphysornis is an extinct genus of giant flightless terror birds that inhabited Brazil during Late Oligocene or Early Miocene epochs. Although not the tallest phorusrhacid, Paraphysornis measured up to 1.4 metres tall at the hips and weighed around 180–240 kilograms (400–530 lb). It was also a notably robust bird, having short and robust tarsal bones not suited for pursuit hunting.

<i>Kelenken</i> Extinct genus of birds

Kelenken is a genus of phorusrhacid, an extinct group of large, predatory birds, which lived in what is now Argentina in the middle Miocene about 15 million years ago. The only known specimen was discovered by high school student Guillermo Aguirre-Zabala in Comallo, in the region of Patagonia, and was made the holotype of the new genus and species Kelenken guillermoi in 2007. The genus name references a spirit in Tehuelche mythology, and the specific name honors the discoverer. The holotype consists of one of the most complete skulls known of a large phorusrhacid, as well as a tarsometatarsus lower leg bone and a phalanx toe bone. The discovery of Kelenken clarified the anatomy of large phorusrhacids, as these were previously much less well known. The closest living relatives of the phorusrhacids are the seriemas. Kelenken was found to belong in the subfamily Phorusrhacinae, along with for example Devincenzia.

<i>Devincenzia</i> Extinct genus of birds

Devincenzia is an extinct genus of giant flightless predatory birds in the family Phorusrhacidae or "terror birds" that lived during the Early Miocene (Deseadan) Fray Bentos Formation of Uruguay, Late Miocene (Huayquerian) Ituzaingó Formation, Early Pliocene (Montehermosan) of Argentina, and possibly the Early Pleistocene Raigón Formation of Uruguay. The type species D. pozzi was formerly known as Onactornis pozzi. The largest possible specimen weighed up to 350 kilograms (770 lb), making it one of the largest phorusrhacids and carnivorous birds known.

<i>Patagornis</i> Extinct genus of birds

Patagornis is a genus of extinct flightless predatory birds of the family Phorusrhacidae. Known as "terror birds", these lived in what is now Argentina during the Early and Middle Miocene; the Santa Cruz Formation in Patagonia contains numerous specimens. Patagornis was an agile, medium sized Patagornithine and was likely a pursuit predator.

<i>Andrewsornis</i> Extinct genus of birds

Andrewsornis is an extinct genus of giant flightless predatory birds of the family Phorusrhacidae or "terror birds" that lived in Oligocene Argentina. Fossils have been found in the Sarmiento Formation, and possibly the Agua de la Piedra Formation.

Paleopsilopterus is an extinct genus of giant flightless predatory birds within Cariamiformes. It is usually attributed to the subfamily Psilopterinae of the family Phorusrhacidae, or "terror birds", though doubts about such an identity have arisen multiple times. It lived around 53 to 50 million years ago (Itaboraian) in Brazil, during the Early Eocene. The only known species is Paleopsilopterus itaboraiensis. Fossils of Paleopsilopterus have been found in the Itaboraí Formation at São José de Itaborai in Rio de Janeiro state.

<i>Procariama</i> Extinct genus of birds

Procariama is an extinct monotypic genus of phorusrhacid, which lived from the Late Miocene to the Late Pliocene of Argentina. Fossils of the animal have been found in six places, in the Cerro Azul and Andalhuala Formations. More specifically in the Andagalá department and in the north of the Belén department of the Catamarca province, with a single location in the La Pampa province. The type and only species, Procariama simplex, is the largest member of the subfamily Psilopterinae.

<i>Psilopterus</i> Extinct genus of birds

Psilopterus is an extinct genus of phorusrhacid from the Middle Oligocene to possibly the Late Pleistocene of Argentina and Uruguay. Compared to other phorusrhacids, members of the genus are both relatively gracile and diminutive, and include the smallest known species of terror bird: with the head raised P. bachmanni was 70–80 centimeters (2.3–2.6 ft) in height and weighed about 5 kilograms (11 lb), while the largest members of the genus were only about 8 kilograms (18 lb). The birds resemble the modern cariama, except with a heavier build and considerably smaller wings. Fossil finds in Uruguay indicate the genus may have survived until 96,040 ± 6,300 years ago, millions of years after the larger phorusrhacids became extinct.

Cruschedula is an enigmatic bird genus considered to be nomen dubium which consists of the single species Cruschedula revola.

Herculano Marcos Ferraz de Alvarenga is a Brazilian ornithologist, paleontologist and physician, founder of the Taubaté Natural History Museum.

The Agua de la Piedra Formation is a Late Oligocene geologic formation of the Malargüe Group that crops out in the southernmost Precordillera and northernmost Neuquén Basin in southern Mendoza Province, Argentina.

Dryornis, also called the Argentinian vulture, is an extinct genus of cathartid, known from Argentina. The genus contains two species, D. pampeanus and D. hatcheri.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Alvarenga, H. M., & Höfling, E. (2003). Systematic revision of the Phorusrhacidae (Aves: Ralliformes). Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, 43(4), 55-91.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Brodkorb, P. (1967). Catalogue of fossil birds: part 3 (Ralliformes, Ichthyornithiformes, Charadriiformes). University of Florida.
  3. 1 2 Patterson, B. (1941). A new phororhacoid bird from the Deseado formation of Patagonia.
  4. 1 2 Agnolin, F. L. (2021). Reappraisal on the Phylogenetic Relationships of the Enigmatic Flightless Bird (Brontornis burmeisteri) Moreno and Mercerat, 1891. Diversity, 13(2), 90.
  5. ↑ Alvarenga, H.M.F. (1982). "Uma gigantesca ave fóssil do cenozóico brasileiro: Physornis brasiliensissp. n." Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências. 54 (4): 697–712.
  6. ↑ Alvarenga, H.M.F. (1993). "Paraphysornis Novo Gênero Para Physornis brasiliensis Alvarenga, 1982 (Aves:Phorusrhacidae)". Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências. 65 (4): 403–406.
  7. ↑ Degrange, F.J.; Tambussi, C.P.; Taglioretti, M.L.; Dondas, A.; Scaglia, F. (2015). "A new Mesembriornithinae (Aves, Phorusrhacidae) provides new insights into the phylogeny and sensory capabilities of terror birds". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 35 (2): e912656. Bibcode:2015JVPal..35E2656D. doi:10.1080/02724634.2014.912656. hdl: 11336/38650 .
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