Precursor (bird)

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"Precursor"
Temporal range: Ypresian
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Subclass:
Neornithes
Superorder:
Neoaves
Order:
see text
Genus:
"Precursor"

Harrison & Walker, 1977
Species
  • "Precursor" parvusHarrison & Walker, 1977 (type)
  • "Precursor" litorhinusHarrison & Walker, 1977
  • "Precursor" magnusHarrison & Walker, 1977

but see text

"Precursor" is a controversial prehistoric bird genus from the Early Eocene. [1] [2] It was established based on fossils found in England, including in the famous London Clay deposits. Three species are included in the genus: "P." parvus, the type species, "P." magnus, and "P." litorum, all named by Colin Harrison and Cyril Walker in 1977. [1] [3]

These remains were originally considered to be members of the Charadriiformes, more specifically the earliest representatives of the Glareolidae (pratincoles and coursers). [1] However, several authors have since found this interpretation to be dubious, [2] [4] with the lack of measurements and contradictory wording making the original description's conclusions difficult to verify. [5] At least some of the material, namely the paratype humerus of "P." parvus, has been re-interpreted as belonging to the Pseudasturidae (or Halcyornithidae), a group of stem-parrots, the remains of which (including a complete skeleton) were found in the Green River Formation in the United States. [6] [7]

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

Dasornis is a genus of prehistoric pseudotooth birds. These were probably close relatives of either pelicans and storks or waterfowl; they are placed in the order Odontopterygiformes to account for this uncertainty.

Pseudodontornis is a rather disputed genus of the prehistoric pseudotooth birds. The pseudotooth birds or pelagornithids were probably rather close relatives of either pelicans and storks, or of waterfowl, and are here placed in the order Odontopterygiformes to account for this uncertainty. Up to five species are commonly recognized in this genus.

Macrodontopteryx is a genus of the prehistoric pseudotooth birds of somewhat doubtful validity. These animals were probably rather close relatives of either pelicans and storks, or of waterfowl, and are here placed in the order Odontopterygiformes to account for this uncertainty.

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

Lithornithidae is an extinct, possibly paraphyletic group of early paleognath birds. They are known from fossils dating to the Upper Paleocene through the Middle Eocene of North America and Europe, with possible Late Cretaceous representatives. All are extinct today; the youngest specimen is the currently unnamed SGPIMH MEV1 specimen from the mid-Eocene Messel Pit site.

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

Messelasturidae is an extinct family of birds known from the Eocene of North America and Europe. Their morphology is a mosaic that in some aspects are very similar to modern hawks and falcons, but in others are more similar to parrots. Initially interpreted as stem-owls, more recent studies have suggested a closer relationship to parrots and passerines. Their ecology is enigmatic.

Halcyornis is an extinct genus of halcyornithid bird. It is known from a single neurocranium from the Early Eocene London Clay of southeastern England, and contains a single species, Halcyornis toliapicus. The type specimen of Halcyornis was the first fossil bird to be scientifically named.

Cyrilavis is an extinct genus of halcyornithid bird from the Early Eocene Fossil Butte Member of the Green River Formation, United States. The genus contains two species, Cyrilavis olsoni and Cyrilavis colburnorum.

Pulchrapollia is an extinct genus of halcyornithid bird from the Early Eocene London Clay of Walton-on-the-Naze, United Kingdom and the Nanjemoy Formation of Virginia, United States. The genus contains three species, Pulchrapollia gracilis, Pulchrapollia tenuipes and Pulchrapollia eximia.

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

Serudaptus is an extinct genus of halcyornithid bird from the Middle Eocene Messel pit in Hesse, Germany. The genus contains one species, Serudaptus pohli, and is known for long, raptorial claws on its zygodactyl feet.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Harrison, C. J. O.; Walker, C. A. (1977). "Birds of the British Lower Eocene". Tertiary Research, Special Paper. 3: 1–52.
  2. 1 2 Mlikovsky, J. (1996). "Tertiary avian faunas of Europe" (PDF). Acta Universitatis Carolinae, Geologica. 39: 777–818.
  3. ↑ Mlikovsky, J. (1996). "Tertiary Avian Localities of the United Kingdom" (PDF). Acta Universitatis Carolinae, Geologica. 39: 777–818. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
  4. ↑ Mlikovsky, J. (2000). "Early Miocene pratincoles (Aves, Glareolidae) from Dolnice, Czech Republic" (PDF). Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemicae. 64: 93–96. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
  5. ↑ Steadman, D.W. (1981). "Review: Birds of the British Lower Eocene by C. J. O. Harrison, C. A. Walker". The Auk. 98 (1): 205–207. JSTOR   4085636.
  6. ↑ Mayr, G. (2002). "On the osteology and phylogenetic affinities of the Pseudasturidae – Lower Eocene stem-group representatives of parrots (Aves, Psittaciformes)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 136 (4): 715–729. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.729.6773 . doi:10.1046/j.1096-3642.2002.00042.x.
  7. ↑ Ksepka, D.T.; Clarke, J.A.; Grande, L. (2011). "Stem Parrots (Aves, Halcyornithidae) from the Green River Formation and a Combined Phylogeny of Pan-Psittaciformes". Journal of Paleontology. 85 (5): 835–852. Bibcode:2011JPal...85..835K. doi:10.1666/10-108.1. S2CID   86618579.


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