The Sarmatian (late Middle Miocene) avian fauna from Gratkorn, Austria

Abstract

Among the rich late Middle Miocene vertebrate fauna from Gratkorn [MN(7+)8] in Styria, Austria, birds are among the rarest of vertebrate fossils. Only isolated elements - 13 bones and two claws - have been recorded, most of which are fragmentary, thereby hampering systematic determinations. However, four different taxa have been identified as representing at least three different species of galliforms (Miogallus altus, cf. Palaeocryptonyx edwardsi, cf. Palaeocryptonyx sp.) and the mousebird Necrornis cf. palustris. All of these taxa have been known to be present before from Middle Miocene deposits in Europe, but there existence has been proven for the first time in Austria. © 2014 Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.