Body mass estimation and locomotion of the Miocene pelecaniform bird Macranhinga

• Autorzy: Noriega J I
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The fossil darter Macranhinga paranensis (Aves: Pelecaniformes) from the late Miocene of Argentina is the largest of all known extinct or living Anhingidae. Its body mass is estimated at a mean value of 5.4 kg by using a scaling model derived from the logarithmic relationship between measurements of the least shaft circumference of the femur/tibiotarsus and body masses. Predictions of body mass, as well as the analysis of anatomical evidence, are used to infer that Macranhinga paranensis would have probably had a powered flapping flight and an aquatic locomotion similar to that of cormorants. The morphology of the pelvis and the hind-limb would have allowed Macranhinga paranensis to catch fishes by means of pursuit-diving rather than stalking them in an anhinga-like manner. As determined by adaptations mainly of tarsometatarsal morphology, the species had well developed perching and climbing abilities.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Miocene; Aves; paleobiology; Late Miocene; body mass; Macranhinga paranensis; Argentina; bird; fossil; Pelecaniformes; Macranhinga; paleontology; Anhingidae; locomotion

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
• Rocznik: 2001
• Tom: 46
• Numer: 2
• Opis fizyczny: p.247-260,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Noriega J I

• Centro de Investigaciones Cientificas y de Transferencia Tecnologica, Dr.Materi y Espana, [3105] Diamante, Argentina

Bibliografia

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