Small Ducks (Aves: Anatidae) from the Early–Middle Miocene of Eurasia. Part 2. The Fauna of Tagay Locality (Baikal Region; Eastern Siberia)

Abstract

Abstract: Remains of small ducks are described from the boundary Early–Middle Miocene deposits of Tagay (Baikal Region), the only locality in Asia with a representative bird fauna from the Miocene climatic optimum. The new taxa Mioquerquedula palaeotagaica sp. nov. and Tagayanetta palaeobaikalensis gen. et sp. nov., which correspond to modern Anas crecca in size, as well as an even smaller duck, Selenonetta lacustrina gen. et sp. nov., are described. The genus Mioquerquedula is revised; “Anas” integra Miller, 1944 from the Lower Miocene of North America is transferred to this genus. Tagayanetta gen. nov. is considered here as an evolutionarily more advanced genus than Mioquerquedula and is probably close to Anatini. Selenonetta gen. nov. is considered as a taxon close to the divergence between Mergini and other Anatinae. A similar form (possibly the same species) is present in the Sansan locality (France).