| Iaceornis Temporal range: Late Cretaceous | |
|---|---|
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| Reconstruction of Iaceornis by Scott Reid | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukarya |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Genus: | †Iaceornis Clarke, 2004 |
| Species: | †I. marshi |
| Type species | |
| †Iaceornis marshi Clarke, 2004 | |
Iaceornis ("Neglected Bird") is an extinct Advanced Short-Tailed Avialian from late Cretaceous Kansas, USA. The type species is I. marshi.
Description[]
The holotype, and only specimen, consists of a partial skeleton without a skull. Iaceornis was about 25 cm in length. Iaceornis likely did not have teeth, and if it did, they would be small and reduced. The wings of Iaceornis had fused digits. Iaceornis is more advanced compared to Ichthyornis, but is not as advanced compared to modern birds.
Iaceornis was once considered to be an individual of the contemporary genus, Apatornis. Due to no overlapping bones, however, it was reclassified as its own genus in 2004.
Paleoecology[]
Iaceornis would have likely been a strong flier, allowing it to navigate well over oceanic territory. The legs of Iaceornis were large and were likely used in the water, most likely to help it navigate its oceanic habitat.
Gallery[]
