Miocariama patagonica sp. et gen. nov.
Abstract:
Cariama santacrucensis from the Santa Cruz Formation (Lower Miocene) in Argentinian Patagonia was transferred to the genus Noriegavis shortly after its original description and also recognized as part of Cariamidae. A separate well preserved specimen also coming from the Santa Cruz Formation was later described as a seriema and also referred to Noriegavis santacrucensis. Our re-examination of the holotype of Noriegavis santacrucensis shows that it actually belongs to the extinct falconid genus Thegornis. The classification of Noriegavis santacrucensis is then revised and a new genus and species name for the true seriema from the Santa Cruz Formation is proposed.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
Aves Linnaeus, 1758
Falconiformes Sharpe, 1874
Falconidae Leach, 1820
Herpetotherinae Lesson, 1843
Thegornis Ameghino, 1895
Thegornis sp.
Synonyms: Cariama: Noriega et al., 2009, nec Brisson, 1769.
Noriegavis Agnolin, 2009
Cariamiformes Verheyen, 1957
Cariamidae Bonaparte, 1853
Miocariama gen. nov.
Synonyms: Noriegavis Mayr & Noriega, 2015, nec Agnolin (2009).
Type genus. Miocariama patagonica sp. nov.
Derivatio nominis. Miocariama derives from the combination of the prefix “Mio”, from Miocene, and “cariama”, from the root of the scientific family name which denotes the seriemas.
Miocariama patagonica sp. nov
Synonyms: Noriegavis santacrucensis Mayr & Noriega, 2015, nec Agnolin (2009)
Holotype. MPM-PV-15049. (Fig. 3).
Derivatio nominis. The species epithet refers to the geographic provenance of the fossil.
Type locality and horizon. Monte Tigre locality, between Coyle and Gallegos rivers (approximately at 51º20’ S and 69º02’ W), 20 km south of the type locality, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Estancia La Costa Member of the Santa Cruz Formation, early Miocene.
Enjoy,
Fred
