| Torotix | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | †Torotigidae Brodkorb, 1963 |
| Genus: | †Torotix Brodkorb, 1963 |
| Species: | †T. clemensi |
| Binomial name | |
| †Torotix clemensi Brodkorb, 1963 | |
Torotix is aLate Cretaceousgenus ofaquaticbirds. They lived along the shores of theWestern Interior Seaway, but it is not clear whether they were seabirds or freshwater birds, as the genus is only known from ahumerus. Consequently, the genus contains only one known species,Torotix clemensi.T. clemensi is represented by a single fossil specimen, a partial humerus (upper arm bone) recovered from theLance formation ofWyoming. Its deposits are dated to the very end of theCretaceous period, 66 million years ago.
Torotix was first described by Brodkorb in 1963, who initially suggested that it was related to modernflamingos, in the orderPhoenicopteriformes.[1] Later researchers thought it was more likely to have been related to theCharadriiformes (waders/shorebirds).[2] More recent comparative studies have found it to be most similar toPelecaniformes.[3]
Acladistic study of the wing bone foundTorotix not to resemble that of thewaved albatross (a procellariiform),northern gannet (of theorder Suliformes),painted buttonquail (an ancient charadriiform),black-necked stilt (a more advanced charadriiform) or aPhoenicopterus flamingo noticeably more than any other. However, this comparison provided information only about ecological rather thanphylogenetic similarities.[4]
ThefamilyTorotigidae was initially established to unite this genus withParascaniornis andGallornis. However, the former is now considered ajunior synonym ofBaptornis (ahesperornithine), while the latter may be a very earlyfowl of the groupGalloanserae.[5]
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