Endocranial morphology of Pygoscelis calderensis (Aves, Spheniscidae) from the Neogene of Chile and remarks on brain morphology in modern Pygoscelis

• Published in: Historical Biology
• Main Authors: Paulina-Carabajal, Ariana, Acosta Hospitaleche, Carolina, Yury Yáñez, Roberto E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2015
• Subjects: South America; Pygoscelisa; Inner ear; Cranial endocast; Braincase; Isi; Antarc*; Antarctica; Pygoscelis adeliae; Pygoscelis antarctica; Pygoscelis papua
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2014.898067; https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/132646

Artículo de publicación ISI The endocranial anatomy of Pygoscelis calderensis, a fossil species from the Bahı´a Inglesa Formation (Middle Miocene– Pliocene) of Chile, South America, was described through CT scans. Reconstructions of the fossil P. calderensis and endocasts for the living Pygoscelis adeliae, and Pygoscelis papua are provided here for the first time. Comparisons with the extant congeneric species P. adeliae, Pygoscelis antarctica and P. papua indicate that the morphological pattern of the brain and inner ear of the extant pygoscelids has been present already in the Middle Miocene. The neurological morphology suggests that the paleobiology of the extinct form would have been similar to the extant species. It was probably true for diet, feeding behaviour and diving kinematics. Agencia Nacional de Promocion Cientifica, Tecnologica and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET), CONICYT Agencia Nacional de Promocion Cientifica, Tecnologica and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET) CONICYT