Podiceps miocenicus Temporal range:
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Life reconstruction | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Podicipediformes |
Family: | Podicipedidae |
Genus: | Podiceps |
Species: | †P. miocenicus
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Binomial name | |
†Podiceps miocenicus Kessler, 1984
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Podiceps miocenicus is an extinct species of large Late Miocene grebe from Moldova.
History
[edit]The species was found at Chișinău as part of fossil collecting survey in the aforementioned place, as well as Bujorul and Kalfa starting with 1974. The species was described by Eugene Kessler in 1984. The species name "miocenicus" refers to the Miocene age of the grebe.[1]
Description
[edit]The holotype and only specimen (LPUI 61-MS) is a right humerus broken into two fragmentary pieces. The two pieces are a proximal epiphysis with diaphysis and a distal epiphysis. The overall form and dimensions is similar to the humeri of the great crested grebe (P. cristatus) but is slightly larger.[1] In comparison to available humeri from other Neogene fossil grebes recovered from Eurasia, P. miocenicus is the largest.[2]
Paleobiology
[edit]P. miocenicus comes from the Tortonian age of the Miocene epoch. During this point in Earth's history much of Central Europe covered by a large, shallow inland sea known as the Paratethys. P. miocenicus would have been a contemporary with various seabird and marine mammals whose fossil remains have been heavily documented.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Kessler, E. (1984). "Noi contribuţii privind studiul avifaunelor din Paratethys". Crisia. 14: 521–532.
- ^ Dimitreijevich, V.; Gál, E.; Kessler, E. (2002). "A new genus and new species of grebe (Podicipediformes, Aves) from the Early Miocene lake deposits of Valjevo Basin (Serbia)". Fragmenta Palaeontologica Hungarica. 20: 3–7.
Well, that’s interesting to know that Psilotum nudum are known as whisk ferns. Psilotum nudum is the commoner species of the two. While the P. flaccidum is a rare species and is found in the tropical islands. Both the species are usually epiphytic in habit and grow upon tree ferns. These species may also be terrestrial and grow in humus or in the crevices of the rocks.
View the detailed Guide of Psilotum nudum: Detailed Study Of Psilotum Nudum (Whisk Fern), Classification, Anatomy, Reproduction