| Taphophoyx | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Genus: | †Taphophoyx Steadman & Takano, 2019 |
| Species: | †T. hodgei |
| Binomial name | |
| †Taphophoyx hodgei Steadman & Takano, 2019 | |
Taphophoyx is an extinct genus of herons in the familyArdeidae. There is only one known species,Taphophoyx hodgei.[1]
Taphophoyx hodgei is believed to have lived in wetlands, like thegreat blue heron does today.[2]
T. hodgei was discovered in November 2017 in Montbrook Fossil Site, Florida by volunteers Toni-Ann Benjamin and Sharon Shears. On November 9th, 2017, a complete left coracoid was excavated, and a week later, a complete left scapula, two bones that have significant roles in flight.[3]Taphophoyx is said to have been the first new taxon to have been discovered at Montbrook Site.[4]
The nameTaphophoyx means "Buried heron" in Greek and Latin, andhodgei is in honor of the landowner of Montbrook, Eddie Hodge, of whom also gives the common name for this species, "Hodge's tiger heron".[5]
The phylogenetic affinities ofT. hodgei are not well resolved, but there is proof that the tiger herons and theboat-billed heron are the closest relatives ofTaphophoyx, mainly evident on the faces articularis.[6]
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