Phasmagyps

Fas-mah-jips.
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Emerson Winslow

Paleoichthyologist

Emerson Winslow delves into the underwater world of prehistoric fish, uncovering the mysteries of early marine life. His discoveries have enhanced understanding of vertebrate evolution in aquatic environments.

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Name

Phasmagyps.

Phonetic

Fas-mah-jips.

Named By

Alexander Wetmore‭ ‬-‭ ‬1927.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Aves,‭ ‬Cathartiformes,‭ ‬Cathartidae.

Diet

Carnivore‭?

Species

P.‭ ‬patritus‭

Size

Uncertain due to lack of remains and conflicting opinions.‭ ‬If similar in size to a modern day black vulture‭ (‬Coragyps atratus‭)‬,‭ ‬then the wingspan would be approximately‭ ‬1.5‭ ‬meters across,‭ ‬if a third larger like others have suggested then the wingspan would approach‭ ‬2‭ ‬meters across.

Known locations

USA,‭ ‬Colorado‭ ‬-‭ ‬Chadron Formation.

Time Period

Priabonian of the Eocene.

Fossil representation

Lower right of a Tibiotarsus‭ (‬one of the leg bones‭)‬.

In Depth

       Phasmagyps is usually credited as being possibly the oldest member of the Cathartidae group of birds,‭ ‬better known as the New World Vultures.‭ ‬However because this genus is so far only represented by a partial leg bone,‭ ‬some researchers have questioned if it actually is a vulture.‭ ‬Additionally the genus is sometimes considered dubious because the overall lack of remains for the holotype will make it very difficult to assign new fossils to.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Fossil Birds from the Oligocene of Colorado.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Proceedings of the Colorado Museum of Natural History‭ ‬7‭ (‬2‭)‬:‭ ‬1‭–‬14.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Alexander Wetmore‭ ‬-‭ ‬1927. -‭ ‬Fossil Birds of the Nebraska Region.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies XIX:‭ ‬83‭–‬96.‭ ‬-‭ ‬J.‭ ‬Ducey‭ ‬-‭ ‬1992.

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