Gigantornis is an extinct species of pelagornid. It was originally described as a member of diomedeidae. It lived during middle Eocene and was found in Ameki, Nigeria. The type species is Gigantornis eaglesomei.
Description[]
It is one of the largest pseudotooth birds, possessing a wingspan estimated to measure up to 6 meters (20ft). The remains consists of broken remain of sternum at Ameki Formation. In 1916, Andrews named it as Gigantornis eaglesomei. The fossil were considered to be diomedeidae. It is uncertain whether this bird belong to its own genus, and it might be the same species as Dasornis. the remains of the Gigantornis has been found at Togo,too. Its sternum is a short and deep-crested shape found in dynamic soarers with wings like albatross. Compared to holotype LHNP-1, its articular facet for the furcula consists of a flat section at the very tip of the sternal keel and a similar one above it at outward angle, and the spina externa is shaped like old French shield. In 1970, after it was clear that it resembled pelicans, it was placed in order Odontopterygiformes.
Paleobiology[]
It lived with Pappoetus, a protocetid from Ameki formation, and Pterosphenus,Cosmochelys,and Deltoidonautilus.
Gallery[]
Gigantornis by Oncho78910
Gigantornis by José Carlos Cortés
Gigantornis by flumbo
Gigantornis's sternum