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ABSTRACT
Olson, Storrs L., editor. Avian Paleontology at the Close of the 20th Century: Proceedings of
the 4th International Meeting of the Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution, Washington,
D.C, 4-7 June 1996. Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology, number 89, 344 pages, frontispiece,
169 figures, 49 tables, 1999.—The 32 papers collected herein reflect the great diversity
and interest that the study of fossil birds has generated in recent years. The first seven
papers (Mourer-Chauvire et al., Worthy and Jouventin, Segui and Alcover, Steadman and Hilgartner,
Millener, Worthy, Pavia) relate to late Quaternary birds from islands, where human
intervention in the last few thousand years has caused many heretofore unrecorded extinctions.
Three papers on Quaternary avifaunas of continental Europe deal with distributional changes
and cultural use of birds by humans in Siberia (Potapova and Panteleyev), the utility of patterns
of seabird distribution in determining former marine climatic conditions (Tyrberg), and temporal
changes in morphology of ptarmigans (Lagopus) through the late Pleistocene (Stewart).
Three papers deal with late Cenozoic raptors (Campbell et al., Tambussi and Noriega, Emslie
and Czaplewski). New genera from Paleogene deposits are described by Boles and Ivison,
Karhu, and Peters. Five papers deal with ancient waterfowl. Alvarenga describes the first fossil
screamer (Anhimidae) from the Oligocene of Brazil. Olson provides the first fossil records of
the Anseranatidae, with the description of a new species from the early Eocene of England,
which is referred to Anatalavis from the Paleocene/Cretaceous of New Jersey. Ericson provides
the means to distiguish Eocene fossils of the duck-like Presbyornis from the flamingo-like Juncitarsus
and gives new records of the latter. Benson shows that the Paleocene Presbyornis isoni
once ranged from Maryland to North Dakota, and he gives records of other Paleocene birds
from North Dakota. Hope names a new, larger species of Graculavus, extending the range of
the genus from New Jersey to the Cretaceous of Wyoming.
The early history and evolution of birds receives great attention. Dzerzhinsky expands upon
the significance of cranial morphology in paleognathous birds. Kurochkin relates the early Cretaceous
genus Ambiortus to the Chinese Otogornis, which are supposed to be on a line with
modern birds, as opposed to the Enantiornithes. Bochenski uses paleogeography to suggest that
the Enantiornithes must antedate Archaeopteryx. Zhou and Martin show that the manus of
Archaeopteryx is more bird-like than previously realized. Martin and Stewart use bird teeth to
argue against dinosaurian origins for Aves, whereas Elzanowski diverges on various aspects of
dinosaurian cranial morphology and that of early birds that may have evolutionary significance.
Witmer, Chiappe, and Goslow present summaries of three sessions of a roundtable discussion
on avian origins, early evolution of birds, and the origins of flight, which was held on
June 7, the last day of the meeting, and which covered much controversial territory.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DATE is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is
recorded in the Institution's annual report, Annals of the Smithsonian Institution. SERIES COVER
DESIGN: The trilobite Phaecops rana Green.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution. Symposium (4th : 1996 : Washington, D.C.)
Avian paleontology at the close of the 20th century : proceedings of the 4th International Meeting of the
Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution, Washington, D.C, 4-7 June 1996 / Storrs L. Olson,
editor ; Peter Wellnhofer ... [et al.], associate editors.
p. cm. — (Smithsonian contributions to paleobiology ; no. 89)
Includes bibliographical references.
1. Birds, Fossil Congresses. I. Olson, Storrs L.
II. Wellnhofer, Peter. III. Title. IV. Series.
QE871.S63 1996
586—dc21 99-33292
CIP
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