? Phorusrhacoids Conservation status: Fossil
Drawing of Phororhacos, a Phorusrhacoid by Charles R. Knight
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Phorusrhacidae Ameghino, 1889

Phorusrhacoids were large carnivorous flightless birds that were the dominant predators in South America during the Cenozoic, 62-2.5 million years ago. They were 1-2.5 meters tall; Titanis walleri, one of the largest species, is known from North America, marking one of the comparatively rare examples where animals that evolved in South America managed spread north after the Isthmus of Panama landbridge formed. The ancestors of T. walleri have not been found; however, it is possible that more North American species await discovery. Only a few bones of Titanis walleri have been discovered at scattered locations in Florida and at one site along the Texas coast. No complete skeleton exists of North America's only known Phorusrhacoid. Image File history File links Phororhacos. ... Phororhacos, the best-known genus of the extinct Patagonian Stereornithes. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Binomial name Aptenodytes forsteri Gray, 1844 For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicatas Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders Many - see section below. ... Families  Otidae  Gruidae  Rallidae The diverse order Gruiformes contains about 12 bird families with, on first sight, little in common. ... Florentino Ameghino (September 18, 1854 – August 6, 1911) was an Argentinian naturalist, paleontologist, anthropologist and zoologist. ... This article deals with meat-eating animals. ... The Cenozoic Era (sen-oh-ZOH-ik; sometimes Caenozoic Era in the United Kingdom) meaning new life (Greek kaino = new + zoikos = life) is the most recent of the four classic geological eras. ... The Isthmus of Panama. ... Land bridge is essentially a historical term; it refers to dry land exposed during periods of low sea level (see regression), connecting what are now separate continents or islands. ... Official language(s) None. ...

Phorusrhacoids are also known as Terror Birds, due to the fact that the large species were top-level predators and among the most fearsome carnivores of their time. Their wings had evolved to meathook-like structures that could be outstretched like arms to bring down prey in a hacking motion. They were also fast runners. ŒœáħŐųŁġĖĞɮʙ[[]] It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with predation. ... This article deals with meat-eating animals. ...

Their closest modern-day relatives are the seriemas. Genera and species Cariama cristata Chunga burmeisteri The Seriemas are a small and ancient family of tropical South American birds, belonging to the family Cariamidae, that are related to the rails and bustards. ...

Taxonomy

Following the revision by Alvarenga and Höfling (2003), there are now 5 subfamilies, containing 13 genera and 17 species: ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. ... In biology, a species is the basic unit of biodiversity. ...

• Subfamily Brontornithinae - gigantic species, standing over 2 meters high
  • Genus Brontornis
    • Brontornis burmeisteri
  • Genus Physornis
    • Physornis fortis
  • Genus Paraphysornis
    • Paraphysornis brasiliensis
• Subfamily Phorusrhacinae - gigantic species, but somewhat smaller and decidedly more nimble than the Brontornithinae
  • Genus Phorusrhacos
    • Phorusrhacos longissimus
  • Genus Devincenzia
    • Devincenzia pozzi
  • Genus Titanis
    • Titanis walleri
• Subfamily Patagornithinae - medium-sized and very nimble species, standing around 1.5 meters high
  • Genus Patagornis
    • Patagornis marshi
  • Genus Andrewsornis
    • Andrewsornis abbotti
  • Genus Andalgalornis
    • Andalgalornis steulleti
• Subfamily Psilopterinae - small species, standing 70-100 centimeters high
  • Genus Psilopterus
    • Psilopterus bachmanni
    • Psilopterus lemoinei
    • Psilopterus affinis
    • Psilopterus colzecus
  • Genus Procariama
    • Procariama simplex
  • Genus Paleopsilopterus
    • Paleopsilopterus itaboraiensis
• Subfamily Mesembriornithinae - medium-sized species, standing between 1 and 1.5 meters high
  • Genus Mesembriornis
    • Mesembriornis milneedwardsi
    • Mesembriornis incertus

Alvarenga and Höfling do not include the Ameghinornithinae and Aenigmavis sapea from Europe in the phorusrhacoids; they conclude that the former are close relatives, while the latter is of uncertain affiliation. Phorusrhacos was a genus of giant flightless predatory birds that lived in Brazil and Patagonia, containing a single species accepted to date: Phorusrhacos longissimus. ...

References

Alvarenga, Herculano M. F. and Höfling, Elizabeth (2003): Systematic revision of the Phorusrhacidae (Aves: Ralliformes). Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia vol.43(4) p.55-91 PDF fulltext]

External links

• Hooper Museum