Two new parrots (Psittaciformes) from the Lower Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark
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- Waterhouseetal2008
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Two new fossil psittaciform birds from the Lower Eocene ‘Mo Clay' (Fur Formation) of Denmark (c. 54 Ma) are described. An unnamed specimen is assigned to the extinct avian family of stem-group parrots, Pseudasturidae (genus and species incertae sedis), while a second (Mopsitta tanta gen. et sp. nov.) is the largest fossil parrot yet known. Both specimens are the first fossil records of these birds from Denmark. Although the phylogenetic position of Mopsitta is unclear (it is classified as family incertae sedis), this form is phylogenetically closer to Recent Psittacidae than to other known Palaeogene psittaciforms and may, therefore, represent the oldest known crowngroup parrot.
Translated title of the contribution | To nye papegøjer (Psitttaciformes) fra den Nedre Eocæne Fur Formation i Danmark |
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Original language | English |
Journal | Palaeontology |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 575-582 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0031-0239 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
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