The evolution and ecology of gigantism in terror birds (Aves, Phorusrhacidae)
Thomas W. LaBarge,
Jacob D. Gardner,
Chris L. Organ
Abstract:Terror birds (Aves, Phorusrhacidae) were large flightless apex predators in South America during the Cenozoic. Here, we estimate a new phylogeny for phorusrhacids using Bayesian inference. We demonstrate phylogenetic evidence for a monophyletic Patagornithinae and find significant support for a distinct crown group associated with the quintessential ‘terror bird’ characteristics. We use this phylogeny to analyse the evolution of body size and cursoriality. Our results reveal that size overlap was rare between … Show more
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