Protodontopteryx ruthae: Oldest Pseudotooth Bird

[ZoPteryx]

The pelagornithids were a spectacular group of pelagic birds of the Cenozoic, notable for their prominent "pseudo teeth" along the margin of their bills, and their often immense wingspans.  The group has traditionally thought to have evolved in the Northern Hemisphere, but this new and oldest specimen is from the early Paleocene of New Zealand.  Known from portions of two jumbled skeletons that likely represent different individuals, Protodontopteryx ruthae was had the size and proportions of a gull, far smaller and shorter winged than its descendants, suggesting it was less pelagic.  However, it still possessed the family's signatures oversized beak rimmed with pseudoteeth.  A large nostril opening is also quite different from the nearly nostril-less condition of its descendants.

Of course, the big question with this family of birds is where they belong in the avian tree of life.  Traditionally considered relatives of albatross and other "typical seabirds", the notion that they are actually more closely related to galloanserans (the clade that contains waterfowl and wild fowl) has been gaining popularity.  A preliminary phylogenetic analysis recovered Protodontopteryx and its fellow pelagornithids in a polytomy with galloanserans and Neoaves (all other modern birds other than ratites).  A more dedicated analysis and better information on the family's palate and pelvis will go a long way in determining this odd but very successful family's relationships.




Articles: http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/protodontopteryx-ruthae-07603.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190917193635.htm

Paper (paywalled): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/spp2.1284

Bonus Mark Witton article on pelagornithids: http://markwitton-com.blogspot.com/2018/08/those-terrific-pelagornithids.html

[Halichoeres]

Paleontologist Eugenia Gold from Suffolk University did a kid-friendly blog post about this find: http://www.drneurosaurus.com/2019/09/a-new-bird-from-new-zealand/?fbclid=IwAR3alB3r-_uO6iMFKojZObBNVqGMZ_SRLyXiWqWjvuz9ruOUEpttMlSGVo4

And in Spanish: http://www.drneurosaurus.com/2019/09/un-nuevo-pajaro-de-nueva-zelandia/?fbclid=IwAR1YF0OZrJtPikiI7UngQ3Mqz_n3j1Co9hz9onTuinnzyHC6i_tG394muQc