Ceramornis
Encyclopedia
Ceramornis is a prehistoric bird
genus
from the Late Cretaceous
. It lived shortly before the K-Pg mass extinction in the Maastrictian, some 65.5 million years ago (mya). Its remains were found in the Lull 2 location, a Lance Formation
site in Niobrara County, Wyoming (USA). A single species
is known, Ceramornis major, and even that only from a proximal piece of coracoid. This is specimen UCMP V53957, which was collected by a University of California
team in 1958.
Its relationships are unresolved, mainly due to the paucity of material. While the material is not enough to be assessed by wide-scale cladistic analysis, it has been quantitatively compared to other avian coracoids. The bone looks decidedly neornithine, and most similar to Charadriiformes
especially. It is not certain that this clade
was already distinct by the Maastrichtian.
While it is sometimes considered a neornithine and specifically to belong to the waterfowl (Anseriformes
), this is far from certain. Though waterfowl must have been around by the time it lived, a phylogenetic analysis could not find any particularly close relationship with the ancestors of modern birds, and thus A. celer cannot be classified at present with more certainty than placing it in the Carinatae
incertae sedis
.
Some have allied it with "Cimolopteryx
" in the Cimolopterygidae. However, this seems a motley assemblage of plesiomorphic Neoaves (possibly basal Charadriiformes) or Neornithes rather than an evolutionary group.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
from the Late Cretaceous
Cretaceous
The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
. It lived shortly before the K-Pg mass extinction in the Maastrictian, some 65.5 million years ago (mya). Its remains were found in the Lull 2 location, a Lance Formation
Lance Formation
The Lance Formation is a division of Late Cretaceous rocks in the western United States. Named after Lance Creek, Wyoming, the microvertebrate fossils and dinosaurs represent important components of the latest Mesozoic vertebrate faunas...
site in Niobrara County, Wyoming (USA). A single species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
is known, Ceramornis major, and even that only from a proximal piece of coracoid. This is specimen UCMP V53957, which was collected by a University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
team in 1958.
Its relationships are unresolved, mainly due to the paucity of material. While the material is not enough to be assessed by wide-scale cladistic analysis, it has been quantitatively compared to other avian coracoids. The bone looks decidedly neornithine, and most similar to Charadriiformes
Charadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
especially. It is not certain that this clade
Clade
A clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
was already distinct by the Maastrichtian.
While it is sometimes considered a neornithine and specifically to belong to the waterfowl (Anseriformes
Anseriformes
The order Anseriformes contains about 150 living species of birds in three extant families: the Anhimidae , Anseranatidae , and the Anatidae, which includes over 140 species of waterfowl, among them the ducks, geese, and swans.All species in the order are highly adapted for an aquatic existence at...
), this is far from certain. Though waterfowl must have been around by the time it lived, a phylogenetic analysis could not find any particularly close relationship with the ancestors of modern birds, and thus A. celer cannot be classified at present with more certainty than placing it in the Carinatae
Carinatae
This article is about bird taxonomy; for the topic in pottery and glassware design, see Carinate.The Carinatae are, in phylogenetic taxonomy, the last common ancestor of the Neornithes and Ichthyornis , and all its descendants...
incertae sedis
Incertae sedis
, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any...
.
Some have allied it with "Cimolopteryx
Cimolopteryx
Cimolopteryx is a prehistoric bird genus from the late Cretaceous Period. Remains attributed to Cimolopteryx have been found in the Frenchman Formation of Saskatchewan, the Lance Formation of Wyoming, and possibly the Hell Creek Formation of Montana. All date to the end of the Maastrichtian age,...
" in the Cimolopterygidae. However, this seems a motley assemblage of plesiomorphic Neoaves (possibly basal Charadriiformes) or Neornithes rather than an evolutionary group.