A new trogon from the middle oligocene of Cereste, France

Abstract

A new genus and species of trogon (order Trogoniformes, family Trogonidae) is described from the Middle Oligocene (approximately 33 million years ago) of Cereste, France. The new taxon, Primotrogon wintersteini, is the oldest trogon that has been named so far and closely resembles living species; differences mainly concern proportions of the skull. The species most likely is the sister taxon of the extant trogons. In contrast to most of its recent relatives, Primotrogon wintersteini lived in an arid environment.