Eocene penguins of Seymour Island, Antarctica: The earliest record, taxonomic problems and some evolutionary considerations
sula) are the only record of Eocene Antarctic Sphenisciformes. Being an abundant compo− nent of the youngest unit of the formation (Telm7), they are not so common in earlier strata. Here, I present the oldest penguin remains from the La Meseta Formation (Telm1–Telm2), often bearing close resemblance...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.550.2420 http://www.polish.polar.pan.pl/ppr27/ppr27-287.pdf |
| Summary: | sula) are the only record of Eocene Antarctic Sphenisciformes. Being an abundant compo− nent of the youngest unit of the formation (Telm7), they are not so common in earlier strata. Here, I present the oldest penguin remains from the La Meseta Formation (Telm1–Telm2), often bearing close resemblance to their counterparts from younger units. Addressing the recent findings in fossil penguin systematics, I suggest there is too weak a basis for erecting new Eocene Antarctic taxa based on non−tarsometatarsal elements of penguin skeletons, and considering Oligocene species part of the studied assemblage. Finally, I conclude if the common ancestor of extant Sphenisciformes lived in the Eocene Antarctic (as suggested re− cently), penguins referred to Delphinornis seem to be prime candidates to that position. |
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