Diogenornis

Diogenornis
Temporal range: Paleocene, 56 Ma
↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Rheiformes
Family: Rheidae
Genus: †Diogenornis
Alvarenga, 1983
Type species
†Diogenornis fragilis
Alvarenga, 1983

Diogenornis fragilis is an extinct ratite that lived during the Paleocene. It was described in 1983 by Brazilian scientist Herculano Marcos Ferraz de Alvarenga.[1] The type species is D. fragilis. While initially considered a member of the family Opisthodactylidae, further examination of the fossil remains showed that it was very similar to the modern Rhea, except for a narrower beak and larger wings. According to Gerald Mayr, Diogenornis is best considered a stem-group member of the Rheidae.[2] It grew to about two thirds the size of the modern greater rhea.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Alvarenga, H.M.F. (1983) Uma ave ratitae do Paleoceno Brasileiro: bacia calcária de Itaboraí, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Boletim do Museu Nacional, Nova Série, Geologia 41: 1–8
  2. 1 2 Mayr, G. (2009). Paleogene fossil birds. Springer.


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