Another Charadriiform-like bird from the lower Eocene of Denmark

TY - JOUR

T1 - Another Charadriiform-like bird from the lower Eocene of Denmark

AU - Bertelli, Sara

AU - Lindow, Bent Erik Kramer

AU - Dyke, Gareth

AU - Mayr, Gerald

PY - 2013/12/19

Y1 - 2013/12/19

N2 - We describe an exceptionally well-preserved partial skeleton of a new bird from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Like other fossils from these marine deposits, the partial skeleton is three-dimensionally preserved and articulated. This new Danish specimen consists of a skull, vertebral column, ribs, pelvis, and hindlimbs. Concerning characters of the pelvis, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus, the new fossil bears morphological affinities to charadriiform birds (shorebirds and relatives). A phylogenetic analysis of higher neomithine (modern birds) taxa also supports a close relationship between the new specimen and modern Charadriiformes. The morphologies of the skull and vertebrae, however, distinguish the new fossil from all recent charadriiform families.

AB - We describe an exceptionally well-preserved partial skeleton of a new bird from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Like other fossils from these marine deposits, the partial skeleton is three-dimensionally preserved and articulated. This new Danish specimen consists of a skull, vertebral column, ribs, pelvis, and hindlimbs. Concerning characters of the pelvis, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus, the new fossil bears morphological affinities to charadriiform birds (shorebirds and relatives). A phylogenetic analysis of higher neomithine (modern birds) taxa also supports a close relationship between the new specimen and modern Charadriiformes. The morphologies of the skull and vertebrae, however, distinguish the new fossil from all recent charadriiform families.

U2 - 10.1134/S0031030113110026

DO - 10.1134/S0031030113110026

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0031-0301

VL - 47

SP - 1282

EP - 1301

JO - Paleontological Journal

JF - Paleontological Journal

IS - 11

ER -