An enigmatic bird from the lower Maastrichtian of Vega Island, Antarctica

We describe a partial skeleton from the lowest Maastrichtian levels of the Snow Hill Island Formation (Vega Island, West Antarctica). Because of the anatomical differences with the Antarctic Vegavis iaai and Polarornis gregorii, this fossil is recognized here as a new genus and species. The results...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cretaceous research 2020-04, Vol.108, p.104314, Article 104314
Main Authors: Cordes-Person, Amanda, Acosta Hospitaleche, Carolina, Case, Judd, Martin, James
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antarcticavis capelambensis
Cretaceous
Ornithurae
Ornithuromorph
Seymour Island
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Description
Summary:We describe a partial skeleton from the lowest Maastrichtian levels of the Snow Hill Island Formation (Vega Island, West Antarctica). Because of the anatomical differences with the Antarctic Vegavis iaai and Polarornis gregorii, this fossil is recognized here as a new genus and species. The results of our phylogenetic analysis suggest that A. capelambensis would be placed inside the Ornithuromorpha, and probably nested within the Ornithurae. This provisional assignment could only be confirmed through the finding of most complete and better preserved specimens. Antarcticavis capelambensis is the geologically oldest bird described from Antarctica.
ISSN:0195-6671
1095-998X
DOI:10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104314