Preliminary observations on the paleobiology and evolution of teratorns (Aves: Teratornithidae)
Preliminary observations on the paleobiology and evolution of teratorns (Aves: Teratornithidae)
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斑鸟（鸟纲：斑鸟科）古生物学及进化的初步观察
DOI：
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发表时间：
1981
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
E. Tonni
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
K. Campbell;E. Tonni
对 Teratomis merriami 头骨功能形态的分析表明，这些巨型飞鸟是掠食性食肉动物。这与之前的假设形成鲜明对比，之前的假设是蜥蜴是像秃鹰一样的食腐动物。翼龙的大翼展限制了它们只能在稀树草原栖息。恐鸟可能起源于南美洲，与更广为人知的粗食肉食鸟类（统称为恐鸟）共享南美洲第三纪食肉动物适应区的主导地位。它们进化成如此大型的飞鸟很可能与第三纪时期南美洲广泛的稀树草原栖息地的逐步发展直接相关。直到中美洲陆桥关闭之后，三鸟飞翔的飞行方式可能阻止了它们扩散到北美。更新世冰川时期美洲稀树草原栖息地的扩张可能有助于这种扩散。
An analysis of the functional morphology of the skull of Teratomis merriami indicates that these giant flying birds were predaceous carnivores. This contrasts with prior assumptions that teratorns were scavengers like vultures. The large wingspans of teratorns limited them to savanna habitats. Teratorns probably originated in South America, sharing the dominance of the carnivore adaptive zone in the Tertiary of South America with the better known cursorial carnivorous birds collectively referred to as phorusrhacoids. Their evolution to such large flying birds was most likely directly tied to the progressive development of widespread savanna habitat in South America during the Tertiary. The soaring manner of flight of teratorns may have prevented their dispersal into North America until after the closure of the Central American land bridge. Expansion of savanna habitats in the Americas during Pleistocene glacial periods probably aided this dispersal.