Torotix
Encyclopedia
Torotix is a Late Cretaceous
genus
of aquatic
bird
. It lived along the shores of the Western Interior Seaway
, but it is not clear whether it was a seabird or a freshwater bird, as it is only known from a humerus
. Consequently, the genus is monotypic
, with the single species Torotix clemensi.
It appears to be closely related to the ancestor of some modern birds. It was initially suggested to be related to modern flamingo
s, but later comparative studies found it more similar to Pelecaniformes
, Procellariiformes
or Charadriiformes
(waders/shorebirds).
The former two of these are quite likely paraphyletic and they, or possibly all three, are today generally believed to be closely related. The idea that Torotix might be basal to some lineages of these three, and/or other "higher waterbirds", is by and large compatible with current phylogenetic analyses based on morphological
and DNA sequence
data.
Indeed, some more astounding findings of the recent years indicate that if Torotix was close to flamingos, it would be likely to have had some features reminiscent of plesiomorphies found in grebe
s, as these and flamingos seem to be closer relatives than either is to the three other groups.
A cladistic study of wing bones found Torotix not to resemble any of the Waved Albatross
(a procellariiform), Northern Gannet
(a "pelecaniform" of the suborder Suli), Painted Buttonquail
(an ancient charadriiform), Black-necked Stilt
(a more advanced charadriiform) and a Phoenicopterus flamingo noticeably more than any other. As this comparison apparently provided information about ecomorphological rather than phylogenetic similarities, it is only clear that assignment of Torotix of any living bird order
is certainly premature.
The family
Torotigidae has been established to unite this taxon
with Parascaniornis and Gallornis. However, the former of these is now considered a junior synonym of Baptornis
(Hesperornithes
), while the latter may or may not be a very early fowl
of the Galloanserae. On the other hand, the slightly younger Novacaesareala hungerfordi which lived on the western Atlantic coasts appears to be - despite also being insufficiently known - the closest relative of Torotix hitherto found and thus it could be warranted to accept the Torotigidae as valid. On the other hand, it may be that this "family" is simply a basal group united by plesiomorphies, and hence it is not used here.
Late Cretaceous
The Late Cretaceous is the younger of two epochs into which the Cretaceous period is divided in the geologic timescale. Rock strata from this epoch form the Upper Cretaceous series...
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...
of aquatic
Aquatic animal
An aquatic animal is an animal, either vertebrate or invertebrate, which lives in water for most or all of its life. It may breathe air or extract its oxygen from that dissolved in water through specialised organs called gills, or directly through its skin. Natural environments and the animals that...
bird
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...
. It lived along the shores of the Western Interior Seaway
Western Interior Seaway
The Western Interior Seaway, also called the Cretaceous Seaway, the Niobraran Sea, and the North American Inland Sea, was a huge inland sea that split the continent of North America into two halves, Laramidia and Appalachia, during most of the mid- and late-Cretaceous Period...
, but it is not clear whether it was a seabird or a freshwater bird, as it is only known from a humerus
Humerus
The humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow....
. Consequently, the genus is monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
, with the single species Torotix clemensi.
It appears to be closely related to the ancestor of some modern birds. It was initially suggested to be related to modern flamingo
Flamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
s, but later comparative studies found it more similar to Pelecaniformes
Pelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
, Procellariiformes
Procellariiformes
Procellariiformes is an order of seabirds that comprises four families: the albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters, storm petrels, and diving petrels...
or 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...
(waders/shorebirds).
The former two of these are quite likely paraphyletic and they, or possibly all three, are today generally believed to be closely related. The idea that Torotix might be basal to some lineages of these three, and/or other "higher waterbirds", is by and large compatible with current phylogenetic analyses based on morphological
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
and DNA sequence
DNA sequence
The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and the chemical bonds that bond those atoms. Because nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are unbranched polymers, this specification is equivalent to specifying the sequence of...
data.
Indeed, some more astounding findings of the recent years indicate that if Torotix was close to flamingos, it would be likely to have had some features reminiscent of plesiomorphies found in grebe
Grebe
A grebe is a member of the Podicipediformes order, a widely distributed order of freshwater diving birds, some of which visit the sea when migrating and in winter...
s, as these and flamingos seem to be closer relatives than either is to the three other groups.
A cladistic study of wing bones found Torotix not to resemble any of the Waved Albatross
Waved Albatross
The Waved Albatross, Phoebastria irrorata - also known as Galapagos Albatross - is the only member of the Diomedeidae family located in the tropics. When they forage, the Waved Albatross follow straight paths to a single site off the coast of Peru, about distant to the east...
(a procellariiform), Northern Gannet
Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet is a seabird and is the largest member of the gannet family, Sulidae.- Description :Young birds are dark brown in their first year, and gradually acquire more white in subsequent seasons until they reach maturity after five years.Adults are long, weigh and have a wingspan...
(a "pelecaniform" of the suborder Suli), Painted Buttonquail
Painted Buttonquail
Painted Button quail, Turnix varius, is a species of button quail, the family Turnicidae, which resemble, but are unrelated to, the quails of Phasianidae. This species is resident in Australia....
(an ancient charadriiform), Black-necked Stilt
Black-necked Stilt
The Black-necked Stilt is a locally abundant shorebird of American wetlands and coastlines. It is found from the coastal areas of California through much of the interior western United States and along the Gulf of Mexico as far east as Florida, then south through Central America and the Caribbean...
(a more advanced charadriiform) and a Phoenicopterus flamingo noticeably more than any other. As this comparison apparently provided information about ecomorphological rather than phylogenetic similarities, it is only clear that assignment of Torotix of any living bird order
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
is certainly premature.
The family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Torotigidae has been established to unite this taxon
Taxon
|thumb|270px|[[African elephants]] form a widely-accepted taxon, the [[genus]] LoxodontaA taxon is a group of organisms, which a taxonomist adjudges to be a unit. Usually a taxon is given a name and a rank, although neither is a requirement...
with Parascaniornis and Gallornis. However, the former of these is now considered a junior synonym of Baptornis
Baptornis
Baptornis is an extinct genus of flightless aquatic bird from the Late Cretaceous, some 87-80 million years ago . The fossils of Baptornis advenus, the type species, were discovered in Kansas, which at its time was mostly covered by the Western Interior Seaway, a shallow shelf sea...
(Hesperornithes
Hesperornithes
Hesperornithes is an extinct and highly specialized clade of Cretaceous toothed birds. Hesperornithine birds, apparently limited to former aquatic habitats in the Northern Hemisphere, include genera such as Hesperornis, Parahesperornis, Baptornis, Enaliornis, and probably Potamornis, all...
), while the latter may or may not be a very early fowl
Fowl
Fowl is a word for birds in general but usually refers to birds belonging to one of two biological orders, namely the gamefowl or landfowl and the waterfowl...
of the Galloanserae. On the other hand, the slightly younger Novacaesareala hungerfordi which lived on the western Atlantic coasts appears to be - despite also being insufficiently known - the closest relative of Torotix hitherto found and thus it could be warranted to accept the Torotigidae as valid. On the other hand, it may be that this "family" is simply a basal group united by plesiomorphies, and hence it is not used here.