Hesperornis (Aves) from Ellesmere Island and palynological correlation of known Canadian localities

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Hills, L V, Nicholls, E L, Núñez-Betelu, L (Koldo) M., McIntyre, D J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1999
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ellesmere Island; Mason River
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e99-060; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e99-060

A tarsometatarsus of Hesperornis from the Kanguk Formation on Ellesmere Island is described and illustrated and constitutes the northernmost occurrence of the genus. Palynological evidence and stratigraphic position indicate that Canadian occurrences of Hesperornis are Campanian in age except the specimen from the Mason River Formation which might be as young as early Maastrichtian. Paleogeographic reconstructions indicate that all specimens are from a seaway extending along the western interior of North America.