A new hesperornithiform (Aves) specimen from the Late Cretaceous Canadian High Arctic with comments on high-latitude hesperornithiform diet

作者：Wilson Laura E^*; Chin Karen; Cumbaa Stephen L

来源：Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2016, 53(12): 1476-1483.

DOI：10.1139/cjes-2016-0053

Here we describe a new hesperornithiform specimen from the Upper Cretaceous Kanguk Formation of Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada. This specimen (NUVF 286) is referred to cf. Hesperornis sp. based on size and shape of femora and teeth preserved with other skeletal elements. Previous osteohistologic analyses indicate a subadult ontogenetic stage at the time of death. This new cf. Hesperornis specimen includes the first teeth associated with a high-latitude hesperornithiform, allowing for comments on the trophic behavior of these birds. Paleoecological reconstructions based on current knowledge of polar assemblages and comparisons to modern birds suggest that high-latitude hesperornithiform birds may have had more varied diets than previously assumed.

• 出版日期2016-12