Argillipes aurorum
Argillipes aurorum
Summary
Argillipes aurorum is a small early Eocene bird represented principally by the upper end of the tarsometatarsus. Modern reassessment supports galliform affinities for this material, making it part of the early radiation of gamebird relatives, but its position within Galliformes is not securely resolved.
Its lifestyle has to be inferred from this limited evidence. A small terrestrial or ground foraging bird is plausible by comparison with early galliforms, probably taking seeds, plant material and small invertebrates, but the fossil does not directly preserve diet or behaviour.
Quick Identification
Look for: a well preserved proximal tarsometatarsus with a distinctly galliform type hypotarsus, including a large enclosed tendon canal. Species level referral should be based on the complete proximal morphology and size, not on a single ridge or an isolated shaft.
Diagnostic Features
- The type material is centred on the proximal tarsometatarsus rather than the distal foot.
- The hypotarsus has a large canal for the tendon of musculus flexor digitorum longus.
- The proximal tarsometatarsal morphology is galliform like in its overall construction.
- The known material is larger than some comparable small early Eocene galliforms.
- Identification requires the full combination of hypotarsal and proximal articular characters described in the modern revision.
Fossil Details
Similar Species
Recorded Fossil Sites
No fossil-site occurrences have yet been recorded for this species.