Andalgalornis Patterson & Kraglievich, 1960

Alvarenga, Herculano M. F. & Höfling, Elizabeth, 2003, Systematic Revision Of The Phorusrhacidae (Aves: Ralliformes), Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 43 (4), pp. 55-91 : 79

Genus Andalgalornis Patterson & Kraglievich

Type Species – Andalgalornis ferox Patterson & Kraglievich 1960 (junior synonym of A. steulleti Kraglievich 1931 ).

Included Species – Only the type species.

Distribution – Upper Miocene and Lower Pliocene of Argentina.

Diagnos i s Revised – Upper maxilla proportionally higher than in the rest of the Patagornithinae , with the dorsal portion of the nostrils not raised. The rostral edge of the antorbital fenestra is almost straight and verticalized. The mandibular symphysis is longer, with the apex curved dorsally ( Fig. 26C ). The cer vical vertebrae and especially the cervicodorsal ones, are sturdier than in Patagornis , and comparing herewith to the pelvis, the iliac crests are dorsally joined, forming a dorsal projection which is more prominent in the region above the acetabulum ( Fig. 28B ).

Figures

FIGURE 26. Skulls of the Patagornithinae (A-C), Mesembriornithinae (D) and Psiloterinae (E-J). A - Andrewsornis abbotti (FM-P13417; from Patterson, 1941), B - Patagornis marshi (BMNH-A-516; from Andrews, 1899), C - Andalgalornis steulleti (FM-P14357); D - Mesembriornis milneedwardsi (MMP-S155); E - Procariama simplex (FM-P14525); F - Psilopterus lemoinei (FM-P13257); G - Psilopterus lemoinei (PUM-15402); H - Psilopterus lemoinei (AMNH-9157); I - Psilopterus lemoinei (PUM-15109); J - Psilopterus bachmanni (PUM-15904). G-J inverted figures from Sinclair & Farr (1910).

FIGURE 28. Comparison of the pelvis of: A - Patagornis marshi (BMNH-A516) and B - Andalgalornis steulleti (FM-P14357). The joined dorsal iliac crests form a dorsal projection on the most cranial part in Patagornis (A), whilst in Andalgalornis (B) this projection does not exist and the crest is higher in half of the pelvis.