Diomedeoididae

Diomedeoididae
D. brodkorbi fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Diomedeoididae
Fischer, 1985
Genus: Diomedeoides
Fischer, 1985

The Diomedeoididae are a prehistoric family of seabirds. The family was in the order Procellariiformes which today is composed of the albatrosses and petrels. At present the family contains a single genus, Diomedeoides, in which there are three described species. The taxonomy of the family and genus is still in need to revision, and it is likely that the genus name Diomedeoides is actually the junior synonym to Rupelornis (van Beneden, 1871).[1]

Fossils of this family have been found in the Oligocene and Miocene rocks in Europe and Iran. Two species, D. brodkorbi and D. lipsiensis are known from Central Europe, the third species D. babaheydariensis known only from Iran.

References

  1. Mayr, Gerald (2009). "Notes on the osteology and phylogenetic affinities of the Oligocene Diomedeoididae (Aves, Procellariiformes)". Fossil Record 12 (2): 133–140. doi:10.1002/mmng.200900003.
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