A small loon and a new species of large owl from the Rupelian of Belgium (Aves: Gaviiformes, Strigiformes)

Mayr, Gérald

doi:10.1007/s12542-009-0019-3

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The relatively narrow condyles, relatively wide tibiotarsal shaft, and the depression proximal to the lateral condyle of DPC 24780 agree with the morphology of Selenornis (Selenornithinae). These apomorphies of Selenornis were noted previously by Mourer-Chauviré [26] and Mayr [36]. However, it is unclear if DPC 24780 possessed the shallow tibiotarsal cartilage articulation present in Selenornis (mentioned by [36]) because the caudodistal region of the bone is missing.…”

Section: Taxonomic Comparisonssupporting

confidence: 71%

“…However, it is unclear if DPC 24780 possessed the shallow tibiotarsal cartilage articulation present in Selenornis (mentioned by [36]) because the caudodistal region of the bone is missing. It appears that Selenornis steendorpensis (see [36], figure 2) shares the more distal location of the extensor retinaculum present in DPC 24780, and they differ from the more proximal location observed in Berruornis orbisantiqui and Tyto. That feature has not been described in the Selenornis (Sophiornithidae) material from Quercy.…”

Section: Taxonomic Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The First Fossil Owl (Aves, Strigiformes) From the Paleogene of Africa

2020

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The relatively extensive fossil record of owls (Aves, Strigiformes) in North America and Europe stands in stark contrast to the paucity of fossil strigiformes from Africa. The first occurrence of a fossil owl from the Paleogene of Africa extends the fossil record of this clade on that continent by as much as 25 million years, and confirms the presence of large-sized owls in Oligocene continental faunas. The new fossil is tentatively referred to the Selenornithinae, a clade of large owls previously restricted to Europe. This new fossil owl was likely similar in size to the extant Eagle Owls of the genus Bubo, and suggests that the niche of large, volant, terrestrial avian predator, although relatively rare throughout avian evolutionary history, may be an ecological role that was more common among extinct owls than previously recognized.

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Section: Taxonomic Comparisonssupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Taxonomic Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The First Fossil Owl (Aves, Strigiformes) From the Paleogene of Africa

2020

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“…However, doubts have been raised regarding the gaviiform affinities of both of these taxa [104], [105]. The late Eocene Colymboides anglicus [106], [107], consisting of a coracoid (and subsequently a referred humerus and frontal portion of a skull; [108]) constitutes the next oldest fossil material referred to Gaviiformes, though more informative, partially associated skeletons are not known until the early Oligocene [104], [109].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogenetic Analysis of Pelecaniformes (Aves) Based on Osteological Data: Implications for Waterbird Phylogeny and Fossil Calibration Studies

Smith

2010

PLoS ONE

165

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BackgroundDebate regarding the monophyly and relationships of the avian order Pelecaniformes represents a classic example of discord between morphological and molecular estimates of phylogeny. This lack of consensus hampers interpretation of the group's fossil record, which has major implications for understanding patterns of character evolution (e.g., the evolution of wing-propelled diving) and temporal diversification (e.g., the origins of modern families). Relationships of the Pelecaniformes were inferred through parsimony analyses of an osteological dataset encompassing 59 taxa and 464 characters. The relationships of the Plotopteridae, an extinct family of wing-propelled divers, and several other fossil pelecaniforms (Limnofregata, Prophaethon, Lithoptila, ?Borvocarbo stoeffelensis) were also assessed. The antiquity of these taxa and their purported status as stem members of extant families makes them valuable for studies of higher-level avian diversification.Methodology/Principal FindingsPelecaniform monophyly is not recovered, with Phaethontidae recovered as distantly related to all other pelecaniforms, which are supported as a monophyletic Steganopodes. Some anatomical partitions of the dataset possess different phylogenetic signals, and partitioned analyses reveal that these discrepancies are localized outside of Steganopodes, and primarily due to a few labile taxa. The Plotopteridae are recovered as the sister taxon to Phalacrocoracoidea, and the relationships of other fossil pelecaniforms representing key calibration points are well supported, including Limnofregata (sister taxon to Fregatidae), Prophaethon and Lithoptila (successive sister taxa to Phaethontidae), and ?Borvocarbo stoeffelensis (sister taxon to Phalacrocoracidae). These relationships are invariant when ‘backbone’ constraints based on recent avian phylogenies are imposed.Conclusions/SignificanceRelationships of extant pelecaniforms inferred from morphology are more congruent with molecular phylogenies than previously assumed, though notable conflicts remain. The phylogenetic position of the Plotopteridae implies that wing-propelled diving evolved independently in plotopterids and penguins, representing a remarkable case of convergent evolution. Despite robust support for the placement of fossil taxa representing key calibration points, the successive outgroup relationships of several “stem fossil + crown family” clades are variable and poorly supported across recent studies of avian phylogeny. Thus, the impact these fossils have on inferred patterns of temporal diversification depends heavily on the resolution of deep nodes in avian phylogeny.

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“…The first descriptions stem from van Beneden (1871), whose identifications are probably erroneous throughout (Olson, 1985; Mayr, 2009a). Lambrecht (1931) described a large, allegedly anseriform bird ( Cygnopterus affinis ), and Mayr (2009b) reported a loon [Gaviiformes; Colymboides (?) metzleri ] and a large owl (Strigiformes; Selenornis steendorpensis ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogenetic affinities and taxonomy of the Oligocene Diomedeoididae, and the basal divergences amongst extant procellariiform birds

Mayr

Smith

2012

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

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The Palaeogene Diomedeoididae are amongst the earliest representatives of procellariiform birds (albatrosses, tubenoses, and allies). Although several fossils of these birds have been reported in the past, many details of their osteology remained unknown. Here we describe a comprehensive collection of diomedeoidid fossils from the Rupelian stratotype in Belgium, which was found more than 100 years ago. The material includes all major limb elements as well as other cranial and postcranial bones, and allows the recognition of previously unknown features of phylogenetic significance. Based on these new osteological data, diomedeoidids were for the first time subjected to a phylogenetic analysis, which resulted in a position outside a clade including Hydrobatidae (northern storm-petrels), Pelecanoididae (diving-petrels), and Procellariidae (fulmars, petrels, shearwaters, and allies), either as the sister taxon of Diomedeidae (albatrosses) or as that of all crown group Procellariiformes. The latter placement is better supported by the osteological evidence, and diomedeoidids lack several apomorphies of crown group Procellariiformes. Previously unrecognized derived features are reported that support a monophyletic Hydrobatidae, thus contradicting recent proposals that Oceanitinae (southern storm-petrels) are the earliest diverging crown group Procellariiformes. The new fossils also have a bearing on the convoluted taxonomy of diomedeoidids, and Diomedeoides Fischer, 1985 is synonymized with Rupelornis van Beneden, 1871. Diomedeoides lipsiensis (Fischer, 1983) is synonymous with Rupelornis definitus (van Beneden, 1871), a species that exhibits a large size range.

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A small loon and a new species of large owl from the Rupelian of Belgium (Aves: Gaviiformes, Strigiformes)

Cited by 12 publications

References 12 publications

The First Fossil Owl (Aves, Strigiformes) From the Paleogene of Africa

The First Fossil Owl (Aves, Strigiformes) From the Paleogene of Africa

Phylogenetic Analysis of Pelecaniformes (Aves) Based on Osteological Data: Implications for Waterbird Phylogeny and Fossil Calibration Studies

Phylogenetic affinities and taxonomy of the Oligocene Diomedeoididae, and the basal divergences amongst extant procellariiform birds

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