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Osteological evidence for sister group relationship between pseudo-toothed birds (Aves: Odontopterygiformes) and waterfowls (Anseriformes)

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Abstract

The phylogenetic affinities of the extinct pseudo-toothed birds have remained controversial. Some authors noted that they resemble both pelicans and allies (Pelecaniformes) and tube-nosed birds (Procellariiformes), but assigned them to a distinct taxon, the Odontopterygiformes. In most recent studies, the pseudo-toothed birds are referred to the family Pelagornithidae inside the Pelecaniformes. Here, I perform a cladistic analysis with five taxa of the pseudo-toothed birds including two undescribed new species from the Early Tertiary of Morocco. The present hypothesis strongly supports a sister group relationship of pseudo-toothed birds (Odontopterygiformes) and waterfowls (Anseriformes). The Odontoanserae (Odontopterygiformes plus Anseriformes) are the sister group of Neoaves. The placement of the landfowls (Galliformes) as the sister taxon of all other neognathous birds does not support the consensus view that the Galloanserae (Galliformes plus Anseriformes) are monophyletic.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the Prévost Fund of the MNHN, the NHM, the Chapman Memorial Fund of the AMNH, the USNM, the OCP, the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Morocco and the Rhinopolis Association. Photographs were taken by D. Serrette and P. Loubry (MNHN). I thank four anonymous referees and G. Mayr for useful comments on the manuscript.

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  1. Département Histoire de la Terre (MNHN/CNRS UMR 5143), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier, 75225, Paris, France

    Estelle Bourdon

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Correspondence to Estelle Bourdon.

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Communicated by G. Mayr

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Bourdon, E. Osteological evidence for sister group relationship between pseudo-toothed birds (Aves: Odontopterygiformes) and waterfowls (Anseriformes). Naturwissenschaften 92, 586–591 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-005-0047-0

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