Leptoptilos patagonicus is an extinct species of large-bodied Leptoptilini stork that existed during the Late Miocene. Fossils of the species were discovered in the San Madryn Formation in Chubut Province, Argentina.[1] L. patagonicus is the first fossil record discovery of a member of Leptoptilos in South America[2] and the only one found so far in the New World.[3]
Leptoptilos patagonicus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Ciconiiformes |
Family: | Ciconiidae |
Genus: | Leptoptilos |
Species: | L. patagonicus
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Binomial name | |
Leptoptilos patagonicus Noriega & Cladera, 2008
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In comparison with extant Leptoptilos, L. patagonicus is larger than L. javanicus and similar in size to the largest members of L. dubius and L. crumeniferus.[4] In comparison with extant Leptoptilos, the hindlimbs are larger than the forelimbs, resulting in shorter wings relative to extant Leptotilos, a characteristic shared by the extinct Leptoptilos falconeri.[4] L. patagonicus is smaller than L. falconeri.[4]
The humerus and ulna are shorter than those of L. dubius and L. crumeniferus.[5] The tibiotarsus is shorter than that of L. falconeri, but slighter longer than those usually found in L. dubius and L. crumeniferus.[5]