The new taxonomic status of Rhea anchorenensis (Ameghino and Rusconi, 1932) (Aves, Palaeognathae) from the Pleistocene of Argentina
文摘
Rhea anchorenensis (Ameghino and Rusconi, 1932) is an extinct species of Rheidae (Aves, Palaeognathae) from the Pleistocene of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, only known for a distal fragment of a left tarsometatarsus. Since its description in 1932, this specimen was not analyzed in an adequately comparative framework with the extant species. This study provides a re-description of this specimen and a comparison with the extant species of Rheidae with the aim of reevaluating its taxonomic identity. The morphological characteristics of the fossil specimen are very similar to those of the extant species Rhea americana. Consequently, their status as a different species of the genus Rhea is no longer valid and Rhea anchorenensis must be considered as junior synonym of R. americana.
