A partial skeleton from the Maastrichtian of Antarctica provides definitive fossil evidence for extant bird lineages in the Cretaceous. Multiple phylogenetic analyses supported by independent histological data identify the specimen as Vegavis iaai, closely related to true ducks. This evidence suggests at least five divergences prior to the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary.
Use Cases
- Reconstructing avian phylogeny based on morphological data from a partial skeleton
- Analyzing bone microstructure for histological evidence mentioned in the description
- Testing hypotheses of avian lineage survival through the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary
- Studying the morphology of early waterfowl relatives based on the Vegavis iaai specimen
Strengths
- First definitive fossil evidence for extant bird lineages in the Cretaceous
- Multimodal data combining morphological study, X-ray computed tomography, and histology
Limitations
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
Provenance
- Source
- SCIOPS
- Collection Method
- Morphological study using X-ray computed tomography and histology
- Time Range
- Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous)
- Geography
- Antarctica