Sara Bertelli , Luis M. Chiappe & Claudia Tambussi, 2007
A New Phorusrhacid (Aves: Cariamae) from the Middle Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27: 409-419
This is the reference for the Original description.
Abstract:
The anatomy of a new, enormous phorusrhacid (Aves: Cariamae) from the Middle Miocene Collón Curá Formation of northwestern Patagonia (Río Negro province, Argentina) is described. The new phorusrhacid is known by a single specimen that consists of a nearly complete skull associated with a tarsometatarsus and a pedal phalanx. The new fossil is the largest known phorusrhacid and its morphology resembles more that of taxa traditionally grouped within phorusrhacines. Its skull—by far the best preserved among large phorusrhacids—provides a great deal of previously unknown anatomical information and indicates that reconstructions of the skull of gigantic phorusrhacids based on their smaller relatives are unwarranted.
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SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
AVES Linnaeus, 1758
NEOGNATHAE Pycraft, 1900
CARIAMAE Fürbringer, 1888
PHORUSRHACIDAE (Ameghino, 1889)
KELENKEN GUILLERMOI, gen. et sp. nov.
Etymology—The generic name “kelenken” refers to a fearsome spirit of the Tehuelche tribe (native people of Patagonia), represented as giant bird of prey. The species name, “guillermoi” is after the discoverer of the holotype, Mr. Guillermo Aguirre-Zabala.
Holotype—BAR 3877-11, a nearly complete skull (Figs. 2–6) associated with a left tarsometatarsus (Figs. 7–9), a small proximal portion of a pedal phalanx (Fig. 10), and a few indeterminate fragments. The association of these bones to a single specimen is based on these facts: (1) they were collected next to one another, (2) nothing else was collected from this particular site, (3) they agree in their general preservation (color, texture, etc.), and (4) they all correspond morphologically to a large phorusrhacid.
Locality and Horizon—Southeastern corner of Comallo, approximately 100 meters from the railroad (41° 01 59.4 S, 70° 15 29.7 W; 790 meters over sea level), southwestern Rio Negro Province, Argentina (Fig. 1). Collón Curá Formation, Middle Miocene (Rabasa, 1974; Mazzoni and Benvenuto, 1990; Impiccini and Valles, 2002).
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