Paraphysornis brasiliensis (Alvarenga, 1982)

Alvarenga, Herculano M. F. & Höfling, Elizabeth, 2003, Systematic Revision Of The Phorusrhacidae (Aves: Ralliformes), Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 43 (4), pp. 55-91 : 70-71

Paraphysornis brasiliensis (Alvarenga, 1982)

Physornis brasiliensis Alvarenga, 1982 .

Holotype – The almost complete skeleton of one specimen ( Fig. 17 ), most of the upper maxilla, braincase, pelvis and sternum being missing (DGM-1418- R).

Hypodigm – Only the type material.

Horizon and Locality – The Tremembé Formation, Taubaté Basin, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Age near to the Upper Deseadean, certainly the Upper Oligocene or the Lower Miocene (Soria & Alvarenga, 1989, and Alvarenga, 1990).

Measurements – Tables 1 and 4; Alvarenga (1982).

Illustrations – Alvarenga (1982, 1993).

Remarks – A comparison as to the size of the Brontornithinae , becomes difficult due to the lack of a larger number of individuals and better knowledge of species size variations. The dimension of the tarsometatarsus of Paraphysornis (the only known specimen) is equivalent to that of a small Brontornis ( FM-P 13259), even though a little less bulky ( Figs. 2B and 2C ). On the other hand, a comparison of the basal portion of the quadratojugal ( Fig. 15 ), of the atlas ( Fig. 16 ), of the third cervical vertebra and of the proximal portion of the tarsometatarsus of Physornis and Paraphysornis , shows a slight superiority in the size of these in Physornis . However, other specimens, as they come to light, may alter this difference, for the time being established.

Subfamily Phorusrhacinae Ameghino, 1889

Phororhacosidae Ameghino, 1889 .

Phororhacidae Ameghino, 1895 .

Phororhacinae Kraglievich, 1932.

Phorusrhacinae Brodkorb, 1963 ; 1967.

Diagnosis Revised – Phorusrhacidae , of a gigantic build, having, however, a more slender and lighter constitution, certainly being more nimble, agile and faster ( Fig. 1C ), than the Brontornithinae . The mandibular symphysis, relatively longer, narrower and not so high ( Figs. 18 and 19 ), is more than twice as long as the width of the base. The tarsometatarsus ( Figs. 2E and 2F ), relatively long and slender, is always longer than 60% of the length of the tibiotarsus ( Figs. 20 and 21 ).

Mandible

Total length 51.1 Length of the symphysis, dorsal surface 8.7 Height at the base of the symphysis 7.7 Atlas

Condyloid fossa (maximum width) 2.9 Femur

Total length (35.0) Width in the middle of the diaphysis 4.7 Dorsoventral diameter in the middle of diaphysis 5.5 Maximum distal width 12.6 Dorsoventral diameter of the internal condyle 11.3 Dorsoventral diameter of the external condyle 10.4 Tibiotarsus

Total length (excluding cnemial crest) 55.0 Width in the middle of diaphysis 5.4 Tarsometatarsus

Total length 31.5 Maximum proximal width 10.0 Proximal dorsoventral diameter 7.1 Maximum distal width 10.5 Falanx 1, digit IV, left foot

Length on the axis (5.9) Maximum proximal width (4.0) Maximum distal width 2.7

Included Genera – Phorushacos Ameghino, 1887, Devincenzia Kraglievich, 1932 and Titanis Brodkorb, 1963 .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Reproduction (by E. Brettas) of some Phorusrhacidae keeping the due proportion as to size. The silhouette of a man 1.75 m high is used as a scale. A - Brontornis burmeisteri; B - Paraphysornis brasiliensis; C - Phorusrhacos longissimus; D - Andalgalornis steuletti; E - Psilopterus bachmanni; F - Psilopterus lemoinei; G - Procariama simplex; H - Mesembriornis milneedwardsi.

FIGURE 2. Dorsal view of the tarsometatarsi of the Brontornithinae (A-D) and Phorusrhacinae (E-F):A - Physornis fortis (MACN-A-52-185); B - Paraphysornis brasiliensis (DGM-1418-R); C - Brontornis burmeisteri (FM-P13259); D - Brontornis burmeisteri (lectotype MLP-91); E - Phorusrhacos longissimus (MLP-76.V.10.11, type of Liornis minor Dolgopol de Saez, 1927); F - Devincenzia pozzi (MNHN-M-189, type of Devincenzia gallinali Kraglievich, 1932).A-D left side; E-F right side.

FIGURE 15. Caudal portion of the left quadratojugal, in medial view of: A - Physornis fortis (FM-P13340); B - Paraphysornis brasiliensis (DGM-1418-R).

FIGURE 16. Atlas of A - Physornis fortis (FM-P13340); B - Paraphysornis brasiliensis (DGM-1418-R).Cranial (above) and right lateral (below) views. Physornis possesses more volume and articular surface for the occipital condyle.

FIGURE 17. Reproduction of the skeleton of Paraphysornis brasiliensis, based on the holotype (DGM-1418-R) of which about 75% of the skeleton is known. The shapes of the upper maxilla, the skull, the pelvis and the sternum, were reproduced based on other species of other genera of Phorusrhacidae.

FIGURE 18. Mandibular symphysis of Phorusrhacos longissimus in dorsal view: A - BMNH-A 529; B - BMNH-A 530; C - BMNH-A 684.

FIGURE 19. Incomplete mandible of Phorusrhacos longissimus (BMNH-A530) in left lateral view.

FIGURE 20. Phorusrhacos longissimus (AMNH-9146).Left tarsometatarsus from Cañon de Las Vacas, Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. Dorsal view. Maximum length 362 mm, calculated at 370 mm if it were complete.

FIGURE 21. Phorusrhacos longissimus (AMNH-9497). Associated bones of the left leg, coming from Monte Leon, Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. A - Ventral view of the tibiotarsus, lacking the proximal end. B - Dorsal view of the femur, lacking a segment of the diaphysis. C - Phalanges (also assigned to the left foot). It was based on these bones that an estimate of the total length of the femur (around 31 cm) and of the tibiotarsus (nearly 50 cm), were made.