Everything about Phorusrhacidae totally explained
Phorusrhacids ("Rag-Bearers"), or
terror birds, were a
family of large
carnivorous flightless birds that were the dominant
predators in
South America during the
Cenozoic, 62–2 million years (
Ma) ago. They were roughly 1–3 meters (3–10 feet) tall. Their closest modern-day relatives are believed to be the 0.8 m-tall
seriemas.
Titanis walleri, one of the larger species, is known from Texas and Florida in
North America. This makes the phorusrhacids only known example of large South American predators migrating north during the
Great American Interchange (which occurred after the volcanic
Isthmus of Panama land bridge rose ca. 3 Ma ago). It was once believed that
T. walleri only became extinct around the time of the arrival of man in North America, but subsequent datings of
Titanis fossils have failed to provide evidence for their survival more recently than 1.8 Ma ago.
A new specimen discovered in
Patagonia in 2006 represents the largest bird
skull yet found. The fossil hasn't been formally described but may belong to a new
genus or species.
Phorusrhacids are colloquially known as "terror birds", because their larger species were apex
predators and the most fearsome
carnivores of their habitat (before the arrival of
saber-toothed cats 2.5 Ma ago). Their wings had evolved into meathook-like structures that likely could be stretched out like arms to perform a hacking motion which theoretically would help in bringing down prey. Most of the smaller and some of the larger species are believed to have been fast runners.
Systematics and taxonomy
Following the revision by Alvarenga and Höfling (2003), there are now 5
subfamilies, containing 13
genera and 17
species:
Subfamily Brontornithinae — gigantic species, standing over 2 meters high
- Genus Brontornis (Early - Middle Miocene)
- Genus Physornis (Middle - Late Oligocene of Santa Cruz Province, Argentina)
- Genus Paraphysornis (Tremembé Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of São Paulo State, Brazil)
- Paraphysornis brasiliensis
- Subfamily Phorusrhacinae — gigantic species, but somewhat smaller and decidedly more nimble than the Brontornithinae
- Genus Phorusrhacos (Early Miocene- Mid Miocene)
- Genus Devincenzia (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of NE Argentina and Arroyo Roman, Uruguay)
- Genus Titanis (Early - Late Pliocene)
- Subfamily Patagornithinae — medium-sized and very nimble species, standing around 1.5 m high
- Genus Patagornis (Santa Cruz Early - Middle Miocene of Santa Cruz Province, Argentina) - includes Morenomerceraria, Palaeociconia, Tolmodus
- Genus Andrewsornis (Middle - Late Oligocene of S Argentina)
- Genus Andalgalornis (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene)
- Subfamily Psilopterinae — small species, standing 70–100 cm high
- Genus Psilopterus (Deseado Middle Oligocene - Arroyo Chasicó Late Miocene of S and E Argentina)
- Psilopterus bachmanni
- Psilopterus lemoinei
- Psilopterus affinis
- Psilopterus colzecus
- Genus Procariama (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of Catamarca Province, Argentina)
- Genus Paleopsilopterus (Middle Paleocene of Itaboraí, Brazil)
- Paleopsilopterus itaboraiensis
- Subfamily Mesembriornithinae — medium-sized species, standing between 1 and 1.5 m high
- Genus Mesembriornis (Late Miocene - Late Pliocene)
- Mesembriornis milneedwardsi
- Mesembriornis incertus
Alvarenga and Höfling don't include the Sophiornithidae from Europe in the phorusrhacoids; these have meanwhile turned out to be primitive relatives of owls (Mayr 2005).
Popular Culture
- The terror birds are featured in the 2008 film, 10,000 BC, when they attack the lead characters during a journey through the forest.
- In the massively multiplayer online game Runescape, terror birds are depicted as a cavalry mount used by gnomes.
- A terror bird is featured in Robert E. Howard's short story "The Gods of Bal-Sagoth".
- Nigel Marven brought a Terror Bird back and placed it in exhibit in Prehistoric Park
- A Terror Bird was featured in episode 5 of Walking With Beasts
Further Information
Get more info on 'Phorusrhacidae'.
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