| Presbyornis Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
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| An assemblage of Presbyornis pervetus skeletons (AMNH 28505) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Family: | † Presbyornithidae |
| Genus: | † Presbyornis Wetmore, 1926 |
| Species | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
Presbyornis is an extinct genus of presbyornithid bird from North America during the Paleogene period, between the Late Paleocene and Early Eocene. [2]
The fossil record of P. pervetus includes many complete skeletons from Green River Formation sites (Early Eocene), suggesting that the birds nested in colonies and that they possibly died due to volcanism or botulism, the latter of which is similar to many colony-nesting waterfowl or shorebirds today. [2] Fossils identified as P. cf. pervetus have been discovered from the Margaret Formation of Ellesmere Island, where the remains of Gastornis sp. have also been found. [10]
P. recurvirostra is known from a partial wing (KUVP 10105) found in the Colton Formation, from the Late Paleocene to Early Eocene sediments of the Wasatch Plateau near Ephraim, Utah. [2] P. isoni, much larger than P. pervetus, is known from the Late Paleocene Aquia Formation in Maryland, based on the partial humerus (USNM 294116) and partial fingerbone (USNM 294117) that were initially described, as well as a complete humerus (SMM P96.9.2). [11] [2] Three humeri that were initially believed to be from Headonornis are suggested to belong to P. isoni, and the holotype coracoid of Headonornis may also be assigned to as P. isoni, though these claims require additional material for confirmation. [12] [3] However, Headonornis is now referred to as a stem group representative of the Phoenicopteriformes. [13]
The holotype and paratypes of "P." mongoliensis are known from the Early Eocene of Mongolia, [4] but these fragmentary specimens are poorly preserved and they likely belong to a stem Phoenicopterimorphae, not a presbyornithid. [9] Undescribed fossils are also known from the Paleocene of Utah. [3] Wunketru howardae , previously thought to be a species of Telmabates or a junior synonym of P. pervetus, is now considered a distinct anseriform. [14]
Along with Teviornis , Presbyornis was one of the earliest stem anseriforms. [3] Because of its long legs and neck, Presbyornis could stand up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall and was initially mistaken for a flamingo, but it was reclassified as an anseriform when the duck-like anatomy of its skull and bill was found. [15] Later, it was believed to represent a transitional stage between the anseriforms and the shorebirds, but it is now considered a member of an extinct group of anseriforms which was most closely related to modern screamers. Judging from numerous fossil findings, Presbyornis is presumed to have lived in colonies around shallow lakes. [2] Its broad, flat bill was used to filter food (small plants and animals) from the water, in the manner of today's dabbling ducks. [15]
Fowl are birds belonging to one of two biological orders, namely the gamefowl or landfowl (Galliformes) and the waterfowl (Anseriformes). Anatomical and molecular similarities suggest these two groups are close evolutionary relatives; together, they form the fowl clade which is scientifically known as Galloanserae or Galloanseres. This clade is also supported by morphological and DNA sequence data as well as retrotransposon presence/absence data.
Anseriformes is an order of birds also known as waterfowl that comprises about 180 living species of birds in three families: Anhimidae, Anseranatidae, and Anatidae, the largest family, which includes over 170 species of waterfowl, among them the ducks, geese, and swans. Most modern species in the order are highly adapted for an aquatic existence at the water surface. With the exception of screamers, males have penises, a trait that has been lost in the Neoaves. Due to their aquatic nature, most species are web-footed.
The stone-curlews, also known as dikkops or thick-knees, consist of 10 species within the family Burhinidae, and are found throughout the tropical and temperate parts of the world, with two or more species occurring in some areas of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Despite the group being classified as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semiarid habitats.
The screamers are three South American bird species placed in family Anhimidae. They were thought to be related to the Galliformes because of similar bills, but are more closely related to the family Anatidae, i.e. ducks and allies, and the magpie goose, within the clade Anseriformes. The clade is exceptional within the living birds in lacking uncinate processes of ribs. The three species are: The horned screamer ; the southern screamer or crested screamer ; and the northern screamer or black-necked screamer.
Vegavis is a genus of extinct bird that lived in Antarctica during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous, around 66.5 million years ago. The type species is Vegavis iaai. Vegavis was considered to be a member of Anseriformes within Galloanserae, but this claim has not been supported by recent studies.
Presbyornithidae is an extinct group of birds found in North America, South America, East Asia, Australia and possibly North Africa. They had evolved by the Maastrichtian age of the Late Cretaceous and became extinct during the Aquitanian age of the Early Miocene. The family contains the oldest known neognath, Teviornis from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia.
John Alan Feduccia is a paleornithologist specializing in the origins and phylogeny of birds. He is S. K. Heninger Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina. Feduccia's authored works include three major books, The Age of Birds, The Origin and Evolution of Birds, and Riddle of the Feathered Dragons.
Anatalavis is genus of prehistoric birds related to ducks and geese, perhaps to the magpie-goose in particular. Alternatively, it might have been a more basal lineage of Anserimorphae distinct from the living waterfowl, similar or even related to the roughly contemporary Conflicto antarcticus from the Danian of Antarctica.
Teviornis is an extinct genus of presbyornithid which lived during the Maastrichtian stage, around 70 million years ago. One species has been described, T. gobiensis. It is the oldest known neognath and its fossils are collected from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia.
Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. This includes the study of body fossils, tracks (ichnites), burrows, cast-off parts, fossilised feces (coprolites), palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because humans have encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science. This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred or were published in the year 1976.
Eostrix is a genus of extinct primitive owls in the family Protostrigidae, along with Oligostrix and Minerva. These owls date from the early Eocene of the United States, Europe, and Mongolia. They have been described based on fossil remains. The genus was created by Pierce Brodkorb in 1971 to place a fossil species known until that time as Protostrix mimica.
The Tingamarra Fauna is associated with the early Eocene Murgon fossil site, and contains the earliest known non-flying eutherian, passerine, trionychidae turtles, mekosuchine crocodiles along with frogs, lungfish and teleost fish in Australia. The Murgon fossil site is located near Kingaroy in south-east Queensland.
Wilaru is an extinct genus of presbyornithid from Australia during the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene, around 24-22 million years ago. It was originally classified as a stone-curlew, but subsequently it was argued to be the youngest member of the extinct family Presbyornithidae instead, and the discovery of a similar Eocene presbyornithid Murgonornis archeri also supports this taxonomic assignment. The type species is Wilaru tedfordi, and the second species is Wilaru prideauxi.
The Odontoanserae is a proposed clade that includes the family Pelagornithidae and the clade Anserimorphae. The placement of the pseudo-toothed birds in the evolutionary tree of birds has been problematic, with some supporting the placement of them near the orders Procellariformes and Pelecaniformes based on features in the sternum.
Geranoididae is a clade of extinct birds from the early to late Eocene and possibly early Oligocene of North America and Europe. These were mid-sized, long-legged flightless birds. Recent research shows that these birds may actually be palaeognaths related to ostriches.
Conflicto antarcticus is a species of stem waterfowl whose fossils were found in the early Paleocene López de Bertodano Formation of Antarctica, the only species of its genus and the family Conflictonidae. It is characterized by it slender body and long legs, yet possesses a duck-like bill which indicates the form of beak evolved early in Anseriformes.
Anachronornis is a genus of extinct bird from the Late Paleocene (Thanetian) of North America. One species has been described, Anachronornis anhimops, from the Willwood Formation in Wyoming. It is a basal anseriform, relative of modern waterfowl.
Wunketru is an extinct genus of waterfowl from the Eocene Las Flores Formation of Chubut Province, Argentina. The genus contains a single species, W. howardae, known from a partial skeleton previously classified as a species of Telmabates.
Telmabates is an extinct genus of presbyornithid bird from the Eocene Bird Clay Locality of the Sarmiento Formation of Chubut Province, Argentina. The genus contains a single species, T. antiquus.
A species-group name that is a simple or compound noun (or noun phrase) in apposition need not agree in gender with the generic name with which it is combined (the original spelling is to be retained, with gender ending unchanged; see Article 34.2.1).
