Fluvioviridavis michaeldanielsi
Fluvioviridavis michaeldanielsi
Summary
Fluvioviridavis michaeldanielsi was an unusual non apodiform member of Strisores. Fluvioviridavids lie among the early experiments in the nightbird and swift side of modern bird evolution and possessed a combination of cranial and flight characters not found together in living species.
The animal was a small volant bird. Insect feeding is plausible and some form of aerial or perch based capture is likely, but the broad ecological range of early strisoreans means that a modern nightjar lifestyle should not be imposed on it. The species is known from a partial skeleton with cranial and postcranial elements.
Quick Identification
Look for: associated small strisorean material combining Fluvioviridavis cranial features with its distinctive humerus and carpometacarpus. Species level separation from F. nazensis requires the published combination of proportions and joint morphology.
Diagnostic Features
- The holotype includes cranial material as well as the pectoral and wing skeleton.
- The humerus has the distinctive fluvioviridavid proximal and distal configuration.
- The carpometacarpus matches Fluvioviridavis rather than Archaeodromus or crown apodiforms.
- The species differs from F. nazensis in the combined proportions and detailed morphology of homologous elements.
- Reliable identification is strongest where multiple associated bones preserve the diagnostic character set.
Fossil Details
Similar Species
Recorded Fossil Sites
No fossil-site occurrences have yet been recorded for this species.