A mousebird (Aves: Coliiformes) from the Eocene of England

Abstract

The first fossil mousebird (Aves, Coliiformes) known from the Eocene of England is described. This taxon, Eocolius walkeri gen. n. sp. n., is assigned to the order Coliiformes (mousebirds) on the basis of a character of the proximal ulna (large cotyla dorsalis). The degree of similarity between the preserved elements of Eocolius and those of the other known fossil and Recent taxa further support this conclusion. At present, this new taxon is considered to occupy an unresolved position near to the base of the coliiform ingroup; the phylogenetic position of Eocolius cannot be resolved further owing to a lack of preservation of diagnostic characters