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131-485: Bullockornis Rich, 1979 Dromornis is a genus of large to enormous prehistoric birds native to Australia during the Oligocene to Pliocene epochs. The species were flightless, possessing greatly reduced wing structures but with large legs, similar to the modern ostrich or emu. They were likely to have been predominantly, if not exclusively, herbivorous browsers. The male of the largest species, Dromornis stirtoni ,

262-399: A 'shelf', a rich layer of fossilised bones, that included leg and cranial remains of the unknown species. Wings were greatly reduced, approximately 100–150 millimetres (3.9–5.9 in), and would not have been evident beneath the bird's plumage. The skull cavity held an exceptionally small brain, the description's leading author Trevor Worthy suggesting the comparison, "I mean, if a chicken

393-437: A 2016 morphometric analysis using landmark based and actual measurements which also supported earlier conclusions regarding the species enormous size. This histological technique has been applied to other large and extinct avian species, including investigation into the paleobiology of the elephant birds Aepyornithidae. Osteohistological analysis of its femora, tibiotarsi, and tarsometatarsi has also revealed that D. stirtoni

524-435: A 2016 morphometric analysis using landmark based and actual measurements which also supported earlier conclusions regarding the species enormous size. This histological technique has been applied to other large and extinct avian species, including investigation into the paleobiology of the elephant birds Aepyornithidae. Osteohistological analysis of its femora, tibiotarsi, and tarsometatarsi has also revealed that D. stirtoni

655-445: A cave, did not allow him to confirm an alliance with any previously described species of large flightless birds. Owen withheld describing that specimen, now thought lost, until the type for this species emerged many years later. The new material had been found while digging a well at Peak Downs and forwarded to Owen via W. B. Clarke , a geologist employed by the state of New South Wales, with a remark by Gerard Krefft that placed it with

786-469: A continuation of a Ilbandornis woodburnei lineage, allied to more gracile species of the family, but these results were not considered to be necessarily characteristic to any dromornithid genera. A fragment of synsacrum found at the Canadian deep lead mine near Gulgong has been tentatively assigned to Dromornis , the slight possibility that it is referable to this species might represent the continuation of

917-407: A genus is determined by taxonomists . The standards for genus classification are not strictly codified, so different authorities often produce different classifications for genera. There are some general practices used, however, including the idea that a newly defined genus should fulfill these three criteria to be descriptively useful: Moreover, genera should be composed of phylogenetic units of

1048-484: A large femur were discovered at Peak Downs in Queensland, at a depth of around 55 metres (180 ft) in a well shaft. This type of locality was described as an assemblage of boulders and pebbles beneath around thirty feet of alluvial soil; the femur was located over a boulder in the rock beds. The description of Dromornis australis by Richard Owen, best known for extensive work on the paleontology of Australian mammals,

1179-643: A later homonym of a validly published name is a nomen illegitimum or nom. illeg. ; for a full list refer to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants and the work cited above by Hawksworth, 2010. In place of the "valid taxon" in zoology, the nearest equivalent in botany is " correct name " or "current name" which can, again, differ or change with alternative taxonomic treatments or new information that results in previously accepted genera being combined or split. Prokaryote and virus codes of nomenclature also exist which serve as

1310-621: A long time and redescribed as new by a range of subsequent workers, or if a range of genera previously considered separate taxa have subsequently been consolidated into one. For example, the World Register of Marine Species presently lists 8 genus-level synonyms for the sperm whale genus Physeter Linnaeus, 1758, and 13 for the bivalve genus Pecten O.F. Müller, 1776. Within the same kingdom, one generic name can apply to one genus only. However, many names have been assigned (usually unintentionally) to two or more different genera. For example,

1441-469: A new species, Dromornis australis , from the previously described Dinornis (giant moas), another lineage of ancient large and flightless birds found in New Zealand that was earlier described by Richard Owen in 1843. A femur that was forwarded to England, probably a dromornithid and since lost, suggested an Australian genus, but Owen withheld publication for many years. The type specimen, another femur,

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1572-495: A partial reference to the Bullock Creek Site and the greek word for bird ornis , and the common name bull bird proposed by the author for genus. The type is a fossilised section of the right femur, with other material, vertebrae and a rib, also referred to the same species. The specific epithet honours the discoverer of the vertebrae fossils, Michael Plane, thus the proposed trivial name of "Plane's Bull Bird". Plane had been

1703-409: A reference for designating currently accepted genus names as opposed to others which may be either reduced to synonymy, or, in the case of prokaryotes, relegated to a status of "names without standing in prokaryotic nomenclature". An available (zoological) or validly published (botanical) name that has been historically applied to a genus but is not regarded as the accepted (current/valid) name for

1834-457: A semi-arid climate. The area was occupied by herbivores favoring shrubland, horned turtles, marsupial tapirs and diprotodontid species, but the fauna associated with this site were rarely the forest dwelling paleospecies of the period. Other mihirungs also occur in the Bullock Creek fauna, species of Ilbandornis . Dromornis planei remains are found with other large contemporaries, such as

1965-496: A short, thick femur, so filled with mineral matter (calc spar and iron pyrites) as to give the internal structure more the appearance of a reptilian than an ornithic bone." Owen notes the specimen was reported by W. B. Clarke, attributing it to Dinornis , in the Geological Magazine several years before. The femur is similar in size to Ilbandornis woodburnei , another dromornithid species. Other osteological features of

2096-427: A taxon; however, the names published in suppressed works are made unavailable via the relevant Opinion dealing with the work in question. In botany, similar concepts exist but with different labels. The botanical equivalent of zoology's "available name" is a validly published name . An invalidly published name is a nomen invalidum or nom. inval. ; a rejected name is a nomen rejiciendum or nom. rej. ;

2227-455: A total of c. 520,000 published names (including synonyms) as at end 2019, increasing at some 2,500 published generic names per year. "Official" registers of taxon names at all ranks, including genera, exist for a few groups only such as viruses and prokaryotes, while for others there are compendia with no "official" standing such as Index Fungorum for fungi, Index Nominum Algarum and AlgaeBase for algae, Index Nominum Genericorum and

2358-480: A very large beak suited to shearing, have made some researchers consider that the bird may have been carnivorous , but most currently agree that it was a herbivore . The bird's skull is larger than that of small horses. The species is presumed to have had greatly reduced wing structures, as with other flightless birds the sternum was not keeled. The exceptionally large legs of D. planei enabled it to move its great mass relatively quickly. A species known from

2489-409: Is a contender for the tallest and heaviest bird, and possibly exhibited aggressive territorial behaviour. They belong to the family Dromornithidae , extinct flightless birds known as mihirungs. The genus was erected to separate a new species, Dromornis australis , from the previously described Dinornis (giant moas), another lineage of ancient large and flightless birds found in New Zealand that

2620-406: Is a reference to the large bill and body of the species. Fossil specimens of this species and other mihirungs are common, but the example of a near complete skull discovered in the 1980s was an unusual find. The direct evidence of the beak structure was evaluated in debate over the diet and habits of dromornithids. The bird's generic name is improperly translated as "ox-bird", but was named instead for

2751-680: Is amongst the Riversleigh fauna , the site is located in the northeastern region of the Australian continent. Dromornis planei , formerly placed in a separate genus Bullockornis , lived in the Middle Miocene , approximately 15 million years ago. It is known from specimens of the Bullock Creek fauna, fossils found in the Northern Territory of Australia . As large as an ostrich or emu,

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2882-561: Is amongst the largest known birds, although Aepyornis maximus , a species of elephant bird from Madagascar, were likely just as heavy, if not heavier. The height of D. stirtoni would probably have met or exceeded the females of the tallest species of the genus Dinornis , the giant moa of New Zealand. (Some moa exhibited sexual dimorphism , with females tending to be larger than males.) Dromornis australis fossils are found in Pliocene deposits of Australia . They were once considered

3013-596: Is discouraged by both the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants , there are some five thousand such names in use in more than one kingdom. For instance, A list of generic homonyms (with their authorities), including both available (validly published) and selected unavailable names, has been compiled by the Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera (IRMNG). The type genus forms

3144-473: Is found alongside, yet suggestions have published that D. planei might have the carnivorous abilities attributed to the terror birds . Dromornis stirtoni , colloquially known as Stirton's mihirung and Stirton's thunderbird, was a large feathered bird that grew up to heights of 3 m (9.8 ft) and weights in excess of 500 kg and is widely thought to have been the largest avian species to have ever existed. Patricia Vickers-Rich first discovered

3275-546: Is found amongst the depositions of the Alcoota and Ongeva Local Faunas, dated to the Late Miocene and early Pliocene . Fragmentary remains are common at these sites, although little is assignable to an individual of the species. Some depositions contain fragments of around four individuals in disarray over an area of one square metre. Other dromornithid species have been found alongside this species, Ilbandornis woodburnei and

3406-442: Is found amongst the depositions of the Alcoota and Ongeva Local Faunas, dated to the Late Miocene and early Pliocene . Fragmentary remains are common at these sites, although little is assignable to an individual of the species. Some depositions contain fragments of around four individuals in disarray over an area of one square metre. Other dromornithid species have been found alongside this species, Ilbandornis woodburnei and

3537-558: Is larger than that of small horses. The species is presumed to have had greatly reduced wing structures, as with other flightless birds the sternum was not keeled. The exceptionally large legs of D. planei enabled it to move its great mass relatively quickly. A species known from the Bullock Creek fossil fauna in the Northern Territory , the habitat during the time of deposition was a seasonally wet floodplain and river. The flora probably consisted of sedges and shrubs favouring

3668-505: Is one of the numerous study sites at the Riversleigh World Heritage Area . The specimens were discovered by two of the collaborating authors, Michael Archer and Suzanne J. Hand , the head researchers of taxa at the celebrated Riversleigh site and its associated fauna. This species stood around 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) high and weighed up to 250 kilograms (550 lb), a considerable size but smaller than its congeners;

3799-437: Is proposed that various factors may have contributed to the extinction of Dromornis stirtoni . Palaeontologists Murray and Vickers-Rich suggested that the diet may have overlapped considerably with the diets of other large birds and animals, and that the subsequent converging trophic morphology could have contributed to the large birds extinction as it was 'out-competed' of its food source. Alternative arguments have proposed that

3930-436: Is proposed that various factors may have contributed to the extinction of Dromornis stirtoni . Palaeontologists Murray and Vickers-Rich suggested that the diet may have overlapped considerably with the diets of other large birds and animals, and that the subsequent converging trophic morphology could have contributed to the large birds extinction as it was 'out-competed' of its food source. Alternative arguments have proposed that

4061-451: Is proposed to represent a monotypic succession, from earliest to latest these are D. murrayi, D. planei, D. stirtoni , and this species, D. australis . The dromornithid family are sometimes known by appellations such as Stirton's mihirung ( D. stirtoni ) to refer to each species. Nicknames describing the species as 'thunderbirds' etc. have appeared in reports of their discovery, later terms such as "demon ducks" refer to their relationship to

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4192-460: Is somewhat arbitrary. Although all species within a genus are supposed to be "similar", there are no objective criteria for grouping species into genera. There is much debate among zoologists about whether enormous, species-rich genera should be maintained, as it is extremely difficult to come up with identification keys or even character sets that distinguish all species. Hence, many taxonomists argue in favor of breaking down large genera. For instance,

4323-435: Is that the end of the bird's bill, does not have a hook, and that the beak is instead wide, narrow and blunt, typical of a herbivore. The bird also had hoof-like feet, rather than 'talons', which are typically associated with carnivores or omnivores. Lastly, analysis of the amino acids within the egg shells of D. stirtoni suggest that the species was herbivorous. Despite this however, there are various indicators that suggest

4454-432: Is that the end of the bird's bill, does not have a hook, and that the beak is instead wide, narrow and blunt, typical of a herbivore. The bird also had hoof-like feet, rather than 'talons', which are typically associated with carnivores or omnivores. Lastly, analysis of the amino acids within the egg shells of D. stirtoni suggest that the species was herbivorous. Despite this however, there are various indicators that suggest

4585-474: Is the type species , and the generic name is permanently associated with the type specimen of its type species. Should the specimen turn out to be assignable to another genus, the generic name linked to it becomes a junior synonym and the remaining taxa in the former genus need to be reassessed. In zoological usage, taxonomic names, including those of genera, are classified as "available" or "unavailable". Available names are those published in accordance with

4716-581: Is the only location that D. stirtoni have been discovered, discovery of other species within the Dromornithidae family suggests that they may have been distributed across Australia. Various Dromornithidae fossils have been found in Riversleigh ( Queensland ) and Bullocks Creek ( Northern Territory ), as well as tracks in Pioneer ( Tasmania ). D. stirtoni probably existed in an assemblage of fauna that included other dromornithids and browsing marsupials as

4847-473: Is the only location that D. stirtoni have been discovered, discovery of other species within the Dromornithidae family suggests that they may have been distributed across Australia. Various Dromornithidae fossils have been found in Riversleigh ( Queensland ) and Bullocks Creek ( Northern Territory ), as well as tracks in Pioneer ( Tasmania ). D. stirtoni probably existed in an assemblage of fauna that included other dromornithids and browsing marsupials as

4978-443: Is thought to have possibly been capable of running at great speeds, whereas birds such as the emu depend on the slenderness of their legs to reach higher speeds. D. stirtoni was also characterised by its large, hoof-like toes, which had convex nails, rather than claws. Further typical of flightless birds, it did not have a breastbone. Two forms of unearthed specimens are considered to be due to strong sexual dimorphism, concluded in

5109-441: Is thought to have possibly been capable of running at great speeds, whereas birds such as the emu depend on the slenderness of their legs to reach higher speeds. D. stirtoni was also characterised by its large, hoof-like toes, which had convex nails, rather than claws. Further typical of flightless birds, it did not have a breastbone. Two forms of unearthed specimens are considered to be due to strong sexual dimorphism, concluded in

5240-399: The Bullock Creek fossil fauna in the Northern Territory , the habitat during the time of deposition was a seasonally wet floodplain and river. The flora probably consisted of sedges and shrubs favouring a semi-arid climate. The area was occupied by herbivores favoring shrubland, horned turtles, marsupial tapirs and diprotodontid species, but the fauna associated with this site were rarely

5371-621: The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature ; the earliest such name for any taxon (for example, a genus) should then be selected as the " valid " (i.e., current or accepted) name for the taxon in question. Consequently, there will be more available names than valid names at any point in time; which names are currently in use depending on the judgement of taxonomists in either combining taxa described under multiple names, or splitting taxa which may bring available names previously treated as synonyms back into use. "Unavailable" names in zoology comprise names that either were not published according to

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5502-799: The International Plant Names Index for plants in general, and ferns through angiosperms, respectively, and Nomenclator Zoologicus and the Index to Organism Names for zoological names. Totals for both "all names" and estimates for "accepted names" as held in the Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera (IRMNG) are broken down further in the publication by Rees et al., 2020 cited above. The accepted names estimates are as follows, broken down by kingdom: The cited ranges of uncertainty arise because IRMNG lists "uncertain" names (not researched therein) in addition to known "accepted" names;

5633-660: The Zoological Society of London then appearing in its Transactions . The name of the genus is derived from Ancient Greek, dromos meaning running, a race, and ornitho , a bird. The genus and family are referred to as mihirung, distinguishing these birds from the giant emus. 'Mihirung paringmal' is an Aboriginal word from the Tjapwuring people of Western Victoria and it means 'giant bird'. The placement of these dromornithid species may be summarised as Dromornithidae (8 extinct species in 4 genera) The Dromornis lineage

5764-419: The nomenclature codes , which allow each species a single unique name that, for animals (including protists ), plants (also including algae and fungi ) and prokaryotes ( bacteria and archaea ), is Latin and binomial in form; this contrasts with common or vernacular names , which are non-standardized, can be non-unique, and typically also vary by country and language of usage. Except for viruses ,

5895-404: The platypus belongs to the genus Ornithorhynchus although George Shaw named it Platypus in 1799 (these two names are thus synonyms ) . However, the name Platypus had already been given to a group of ambrosia beetles by Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst in 1793. A name that means two different things is a homonym . Since beetles and platypuses are both members of the kingdom Animalia,

6026-411: The type locality for the genus at Bullock Creek , Australia . In 2010, Nguyen and Boles first suggested that Bullockornis represents another species of Dromornis on the basis of many common traits observed in the cranial and postcranial skeleton of both taxa and their close relationship strongly supported by their phylogenetic analyses. Subsequent studies also agreed upon placing this species within

6157-416: The type location , are the only certain occurrence of the bird. Rich proposed the specific epithet for fellow palaeontologist Ruben A. Stirton , an American who undertook extensive research on Australian taxa. Dromornis stirtoni was a large feathered bird which grew up over 3 m (9.8 ft) in height. This height is thought to have exceeded the tallest species of the genus Dinornis , which were

6288-405: The 1980s was an unusual find. The direct evidence of the beak structure was evaluated in debate over the diet and habits of dromornithids. The bird's generic name is improperly translated as "ox-bird", but was named instead for the type locality for the genus at Bullock Creek , Australia . In 2010, Nguyen and Boles first suggested that Bullockornis represents another species of Dromornis on

6419-444: The Bullock Creek Site, as with the late Miocene Alcoota local fauna, correlates to the lack of diversity in large ratites , such as the evolution of the ostriches in the presence of a diversity of mammals. Dromornis planei was a very large flightless bird, similar in height to an ostrich or emu but with a heavier build; the species is however exceeded in size by the largest of these "thunder birds" Dromornis stirtoni . Its bill

6550-454: The Canadian deep lead mine near Gulgong has been tentatively assigned to Dromornis , the slight possibility that it is referable to this species might represent the continuation of the lineage as a smaller species into the Pliocene. Dromornis murrayi was described in 2016 using specimens discovered amongst the Riversleigh fauna in Queensland, Australia. The period during which it existed

6681-450: The Middle Miocene , approximately 15 million years ago. It is known from specimens of the Bullock Creek fauna, fossils found in the Northern Territory of Australia . As large as an ostrich or emu, the species possessed a stocky build. A proposed common name, referring to its discoverer and locality, is Plane's bull bird. The site of its discovery was once semi-arid, containing low vegetation around seasonal wetlands and rivers. The species

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6812-463: The New Zealand moas of Dinornis . Richard Owen found affinities and distinctions in an osteological comparison to species of the extinct Dinornis and the extant Dromaius (the emu) and proposed that it represented a new genus. The species is known by the right femur, around twelve inches long, obtained at the Peak Downs site. The details of its deposition accompanied Owen's description, "The well

6943-492: The apex herbivores. The Alcoota Local Fauna were deposited at the only known upper Miocene fossil beds of Central Australia. The early conceptions of a fearsome bird receives some support from the proposed behaviour of the larger males aggressively defending a preferred range against competitors, other males or herbivores, and predators. It is widely accepted that Dromornis stirtoni was herbivorous. This has been deduced from various features of its anatomy. One of these features

7074-489: The apex herbivores. The Alcoota Local Fauna were deposited at the only known upper Miocene fossil beds of Central Australia. The early conceptions of a fearsome bird receives some support from the proposed behaviour of the larger males aggressively defending a preferred range against competitors, other males or herbivores, and predators. It is widely accepted that Dromornis stirtoni was herbivorous. This has been deduced from various features of its anatomy. One of these features

7205-425: The approximate weight and size of the D. stirtoni . This thorough analysis of the bones of D. stirtoni revealed that there was considerable sexual dimorphism , and that a fully grown male could weigh between 528 and 584 kg (1,164 and 1,287 lb), whilst a female would likely weigh between 441 and 451 kg (972 and 994 lb). The disparity in robustness was interpreted by the researchers as evidence of

7336-423: The approximate weight and size of the D. stirtoni . This thorough analysis of the bones of D. stirtoni revealed that there was considerable sexual dimorphism , and that a fully grown male could weigh between 528 and 584 kg (1,164 and 1,287 lb), whilst a female would likely weigh between 441 and 451 kg (972 and 994 lb). The disparity in robustness was interpreted by the researchers as evidence of

7467-463: The authors, the largest of that family. D. stirtoni was characterised by a deep lower jaw and a quadrate bone (which connects the upper and lower jaws) that was distinctly shaped. This narrow, deep bill, made up approximately two thirds of the skull. The front of this powerful jaw was used to cut, whilst the back of the jaw was used for crushing. Comparison of two partial crania with the near complete cranium of Dromornis planei ( Bullockornis ) shows

7598-462: The authors, the largest of that family. D. stirtoni was characterised by a deep lower jaw and a quadrate bone (which connects the upper and lower jaws) that was distinctly shaped. This narrow, deep bill, made up approximately two thirds of the skull. The front of this powerful jaw was used to cut, whilst the back of the jaw was used for crushing. Comparison of two partial crania with the near complete cranium of Dromornis planei ( Bullockornis ) shows

7729-442: The base for higher taxonomic ranks, such as the family name Canidae ("Canids") based on Canis . However, this does not typically ascend more than one or two levels: the order to which dogs and wolves belong is Carnivora ("Carnivores"). The numbers of either accepted, or all published genus names is not known precisely; Rees et al., 2020 estimate that approximately 310,000 accepted names (valid taxa) may exist, out of

7860-504: The basis of many common traits observed in the cranial and postcranial skeleton of both taxa and their close relationship strongly supported by their phylogenetic analyses. Subsequent studies also agreed upon placing this species within the genus Dromornis . Some paleontologists , including Peter Murray of the Central Australian Museum , believe that Bullockornis was related to geese and ducks . This, in addition to

7991-470: The biology of the species, behaviours such as incubation by the female, pair bonding, parental care and aggression while nesting, and courtship or display habits exhibited by extant waterfowl, the anseriforms . In comparison to other known ratite elephant birds of the Aepyornithidae family, this made D. stirtoni the heaviest of all known discoveries. D. stirtoni was compared to Aepyornis maximus by

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8122-413: The biology of the species, behaviours such as incubation by the female, pair bonding, parental care and aggression while nesting, and courtship or display habits exhibited by extant waterfowl, the anseriforms . In comparison to other known ratite elephant birds of the Aepyornithidae family, this made D. stirtoni the heaviest of all known discoveries. D. stirtoni was compared to Aepyornis maximus by

8253-471: The bird may have been carnivorous or omnivorous (Murray, 2004). The size and muscularity of the birds skull and beak would also suggest that they may not have been herbivores, as no source of vegetable food in their environment would have required such a powerful beak (Vickers-Rich, 1979). In recognition of the varying opinions, it is widely accepted that whilst the large bird may have occasionally scavenged or eaten smaller prey, they were mostly herbivorous. It

8384-470: The bird may have been carnivorous or omnivorous (Murray, 2004). The size and muscularity of the birds skull and beak would also suggest that they may not have been herbivores, as no source of vegetable food in their environment would have required such a powerful beak (Vickers-Rich, 1979). In recognition of the varying opinions, it is widely accepted that whilst the large bird may have occasionally scavenged or eaten smaller prey, they were mostly herbivorous. It

8515-428: The bird was flightless, a strong development between the bony crests and tuberosities, where the wings were attached, allowed them to flap their wings. The bird was also characterised by its large hind legs, which after the completion of biomechanical studies are confirmed to have been muscular, rather than slender, due to the size of the muscle attachments along the leg. Due to the muscularity of these legs, D. stirtoni

8646-426: The bird was flightless, a strong development between the bony crests and tuberosities, where the wings were attached, allowed them to flap their wings. The bird was also characterised by its large hind legs, which after the completion of biomechanical studies are confirmed to have been muscular, rather than slender, due to the size of the muscle attachments along the leg. Due to the muscularity of these legs, D. stirtoni

8777-481: The bird's plumage. The skull cavity held an exceptionally small brain, the description's leading author Trevor Worthy suggesting the comparison, "I mean, if a chicken was silly, these things were very much more silly." The fossil deposits of Dromornis murrayi at the Hiatus site of Riversleigh have been dated as early Miocene and another as late Oligocene to early Miocene. This was established using correlation with

8908-414: The bird's tremendous size and earlier misclassification as a carnivore, gave rise to its colourful nickname. It may be somewhat inaccurate, however, as other studies have recovered dromornithids as more closely related to Galliformes . The existence of only this species at the Bullock Creek Site, as with the late Miocene Alcoota local fauna, correlates to the lack of diversity in large ratites , such as

9039-417: The diprotodont Neohelos , and the crocodiles Baru that preyed upon them as they came to the water's edge. The diet of these birds is uncertain, although it is determined that the bill was thin and had little bite force. Gastroliths are found with similar species of other regions, Genyornis , Ilbandornis and near relation Dromornis stirtoni , suggesting a herbivorous diet like the other species it

9170-418: The diversity of species was very low, apparently monotypes that emerged in succession and increased in size. Dromornis stirtoni is amongst the largest known birds, although Aepyornis maximus , a species of elephant bird from Madagascar, were likely just as heavy, if not heavier. The height of D. stirtoni would probably have met or exceeded the females of the tallest species of the genus Dinornis ,

9301-692: The earliest waterfowl of the Anseriformes order or a basal galliform . Comparative studies using endocranial reconstructions of dromornithids, Ilbandornis and three Dromornis species, suggest that the head and bill of the Dromornis lineage became foreshortened. The species resemble large birds of the Northern hemisphere, the Paleognathaes , of whom some descendants are known as ostriches and their allies. Like those ratites who also evolved alongside mammals,

9432-541: The evolution of the ostriches in the presence of a diversity of mammals. Dromornis planei was a very large flightless bird, similar in height to an ostrich or emu but with a heavier build; the species is however exceeded in size by the largest of these "thunder birds" Dromornis stirtoni . Its bill was curved and deep, the overall size of the head and skull was remarkably large. The species stood approximately 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) tall. It may have weighed up to 250 kg (550 lb). Features of skull, including

9563-445: The evolutionary stage of vertebrate species known from other sites at Riversleigh. Hiatus site is limestone deposited in an aquatic setting, lacking indicators for methods such as radiometric dating. Another site where the species occurs is Cadbury's Kingdom, designated as Faunal Zone B which is also dated as early Miocene. The temporal range of these finds is approximately 25 to 16 mega-annum . The only known occurrence of this species

9694-469: The extant Dromaius (the emu) and proposed that it represented a new genus. The species is known by the right femur, around twelve inches long, obtained at the Peak Downs site. The details of its deposition accompanied Owen's description, "The well was sunk through 30 feet of the black trappean alluvial soil common in that part of Australia, and then through 150 feet of drift pebbles and boulders, on one of which boulders ("at that depth," 150 feet?) rested

9825-587: The extant waterfowl of the galloanseres . Dromornis is a genus of large to gigantic flightless birds of the Dromornithidae family. Members of this family lived from 8 million years ago until less than 30,000 years ago. Although they looked like giant emus , Dromornis and its relatives are more closely related to the earliest waterfowl of the Anseriformes order or a basal galliform . Comparative studies using endocranial reconstructions of dromornithids, Ilbandornis and three Dromornis species, suggest that

9956-450: The femur was located over a boulder in the rock beds. The description of Dromornis australis by Richard Owen, best known for extensive work on the paleontology of Australian mammals, was the first of an extinct Australian avian species. Owen had previously sought evidence of Dinornis in the palaeontological collections of early Australian excavations. A femur that he had noted in the appendix of Thomas Mitchell 's explorations, found in

10087-421: The first to investigate the Bullock Creek site, details of which were published in a 1968 paper. It was one of several species of mihirungs, the dromornithids , that share ancestry with ducks and geese. The nickname "Demon Duck of Doom" is a reference to the large bill and body of the species. Fossil specimens of this species and other mihirungs are common, but the example of a near complete skull discovered in

10218-405: The forest dwelling paleospecies of the period. Other mihirungs also occur in the Bullock Creek fauna, species of Ilbandornis . Dromornis planei remains are found with other large contemporaries, such as the diprotodont Neohelos , and the crocodiles Baru that preyed upon them as they came to the water's edge. The diet of these birds is uncertain, although it is determined that the bill

10349-446: The form "author, year" in zoology, and "standard abbreviated author name" in botany. Thus in the examples above, the genus Canis would be cited in full as " Canis Linnaeus, 1758" (zoological usage), while Hibiscus , also first established by Linnaeus but in 1753, is simply " Hibiscus L." (botanical usage). Each genus should have a designated type , although in practice there is a backlog of older names without one. In zoology, this

10480-516: The fossil deposits are found in the Waite Formation, which consists of sandstones, limestones and siltstones. The various fossils that have been found within this region suggest that they were laid in episodical channels, characterised by a large series of interconnected lakes, within a large basin. The vegetation type of the region in that period was open woodland favouring its semi-arid climate, within which seasonal rainfall occurs. D. stirtoni

10611-455: The fossil deposits are found in the Waite Formation, which consists of sandstones, limestones and siltstones. The various fossils that have been found within this region suggest that they were laid in episodical channels, characterised by a large series of interconnected lakes, within a large basin. The vegetation type of the region in that period was open woodland favouring its semi-arid climate, within which seasonal rainfall occurs. D. stirtoni

10742-727: The generic name (or its abbreviated form) still forms the leading portion of the scientific name, for example, Canis lupus lupus for the Eurasian wolf subspecies, or as a botanical example, Hibiscus arnottianus ssp. immaculatus . Also, as visible in the above examples, the Latinised portions of the scientific names of genera and their included species (and infraspecies, where applicable) are, by convention, written in italics . The scientific names of virus species are descriptive, not binomial in form, and may or may not incorporate an indication of their containing genus; for example,

10873-472: The genus Dromornis . Some paleontologists , including Peter Murray of the Central Australian Museum , believe that Bullockornis was related to geese and ducks . This, in addition to the bird's tremendous size and earlier misclassification as a carnivore, gave rise to its colourful nickname. It may be somewhat inaccurate, however, as other studies have recovered dromornithids as more closely related to Galliformes . The existence of only this species at

11004-437: The giant moa of New Zealand. (Some moa exhibited sexual dimorphism , with females tending to be larger than males.) Dromornis australis fossils are found in Pliocene deposits of Australia . They were once considered the smallest species of the genus Dromornis , around three quarters the size of Dromornis stirtoni , until the discovery of Dromornis planei specimens were described in 2016. The fossil remains of

11135-459: The giant moas of New Zealand , and the Elephant Birds of Madagascar. This species is from the Dromornithidae family, which is a family of large flightless birds endemic to Australia. The weight of the animal is also thought to have been exceedingly large. Peter F. Murray and Patricia Vickers-Rich, in their work "Magnificent Mihirungs" (2004), utilised three varying scientific methods to derive

11266-591: The giant emus. 'Mihirung paringmal' is an Aboriginal word from the Tjapwuring people of Western Victoria and it means 'giant bird'. The placement of these dromornithid species may be summarised as Dromornithidae (8 extinct species in 4 genera) The Dromornis lineage is proposed to represent a monotypic succession, from earliest to latest these are D. murrayi, D. planei, D. stirtoni , and this species, D. australis . The dromornithid family are sometimes known by appellations such as Stirton's mihirung ( D. stirtoni ) to refer to each species. Nicknames describing

11397-405: The head and bill of the Dromornis lineage became foreshortened. The species resemble large birds of the Northern hemisphere, the Paleognathaes , of whom some descendants are known as ostriches and their allies. Like those ratites who also evolved alongside mammals, the diversity of species was very low, apparently monotypes that emerged in succession and increased in size. Dromornis stirtoni

11528-399: The head of this species to be about 25% larger . Reconstruction of overlapping remains of the rostrum have revealed its form and size, the lower mandible would have been around 0.5 metres. The size and proportions of the head and its bill are comparable to that of mammals such as camels or horses The large bird had "stubby", reduced wings, which ultimately deemed it flightless. However, whilst

11659-399: The head of this species to be about 25% larger . Reconstruction of overlapping remains of the rostrum have revealed its form and size, the lower mandible would have been around 0.5 metres. The size and proportions of the head and its bill are comparable to that of mammals such as camels or horses The large bird had "stubby", reduced wings, which ultimately deemed it flightless. However, whilst

11790-470: The head researchers of taxa at the celebrated Riversleigh site and its associated fauna. This species stood around 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) high and weighed up to 250 kilograms (550 lb), a considerable size but smaller than its congeners; the later species Dromornis stirtoni is determined to have been up to 650 kilograms (1,430 lb). The fossil specimens used to describe Dromornis murrayi have been dated to 26 million years ago, being discovered at

11921-441: The large birds' breeding patterns may have contributed. It's suggested that D. stirtoni lived for a relatively long period of time in a group of older birds; however, for the few young that were produced, time to maturity was considerable. Subsequently, breeding adults were replaced slowly, which left the species highly vulnerable if breeding adults were lost. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Genus The composition of

12052-628: The largest component, with 23,236 ± 5,379 accepted genus names, of which 20,845 ± 4,494 are angiosperms (superclass Angiospermae). By comparison, the 2018 annual edition of the Catalogue of Life (estimated >90% complete, for extant species in the main) contains currently 175,363 "accepted" genus names for 1,744,204 living and 59,284 extinct species, also including genus names only (no species) for some groups. The number of species in genera varies considerably among taxonomic groups. For instance, among (non-avian) reptiles , which have about 1180 genera,

12183-454: The later species Dromornis stirtoni is determined to have been up to 650 kilograms (1,430 lb). The fossil specimens used to describe Dromornis murrayi have been dated to 26 million years ago, being discovered at a 'shelf', a rich layer of fossilised bones, that included leg and cranial remains of the unknown species. Wings were greatly reduced, approximately 100–150 millimetres (3.9–5.9 in), and would not have been evident beneath

12314-470: The lineage as a smaller species into the Pliocene. Dromornis murrayi was described in 2016 using specimens discovered amongst the Riversleigh fauna in Queensland, Australia. The period during which it existed was the Oligocene to early Miocene, making this the earliest known species of the genus Dromornis . The size of these mihirungs was also determined to be the smallest of its genus. Dromornis murrayi

12445-463: The lizard genus Anolis has been suggested to be broken down into 8 or so different genera which would bring its ~400 species to smaller, more manageable subsets. Dromornis planei Bullockornis Rich, 1979 Dromornis is a genus of large to enormous prehistoric birds native to Australia during the Oligocene to Pliocene epochs. The species were flightless, possessing greatly reduced wing structures but with large legs, similar to

12576-403: The modern ostrich or emu. They were likely to have been predominantly, if not exclusively, herbivorous browsers. The male of the largest species, Dromornis stirtoni , is a contender for the tallest and heaviest bird, and possibly exhibited aggressive territorial behaviour. They belong to the family Dromornithidae , extinct flightless birds known as mihirungs. The genus was erected to separate

12707-403: The most (>300) have only 1 species, ~360 have between 2 and 4 species, 260 have 5–10 species, ~200 have 11–50 species, and only 27 genera have more than 50 species. However, some insect genera such as the bee genera Lasioglossum and Andrena have over 1000 species each. The largest flowering plant genus, Astragalus , contains over 3,000 species. Which species are assigned to a genus

12838-428: The name could not be used for both. Johann Friedrich Blumenbach published the replacement name Ornithorhynchus in 1800. However, a genus in one kingdom is allowed to bear a scientific name that is in use as a generic name (or the name of a taxon in another rank) in a kingdom that is governed by a different nomenclature code. Names with the same form but applying to different taxa are called "homonyms". Although this

12969-526: The provisions of the ICZN Code, e.g., incorrect original or subsequent spellings, names published only in a thesis, and generic names published after 1930 with no type species indicated. According to "Glossary" section of the zoological Code, suppressed names (per published "Opinions" of the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature) remain available but cannot be used as the valid name for

13100-556: The remains of the bird in 1979 in the Alcoota Fossil Beds in the Northern Territory of Australia . Large amounts of fragmentary material found at the Alcoota fossil site in Central Australia , the type location , are the only certain occurrence of the bird. Rich proposed the specific epithet for fellow palaeontologist Ruben A. Stirton , an American who undertook extensive research on Australian taxa. Dromornis stirtoni

13231-466: The same kind as other (analogous) genera. The term "genus" comes from Latin genus , a noun form cognate with gignere ('to bear; to give birth to'). The Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus popularized its use in his 1753 Species Plantarum , but the French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656–1708) is considered "the founder of the modern concept of genera". The scientific name (or

13362-415: The same species. The specific epithet honours the discoverer of the vertebrae fossils, Michael Plane, thus the proposed trivial name of "Plane's Bull Bird". Plane had been the first to investigate the Bullock Creek site, details of which were published in a 1968 paper. It was one of several species of mihirungs, the dromornithids , that share ancestry with ducks and geese. The nickname "Demon Duck of Doom"

13493-408: The scientific epithet) of a genus is also called the generic name ; in modern style guides and science, it is always capitalised. It plays a fundamental role in binomial nomenclature , the system of naming organisms , where it is combined with the scientific name of a species : see Botanical name and Specific name (zoology) . The rules for the scientific names of organisms are laid down in

13624-451: The smallest species of the genus Dromornis , around three quarters the size of Dromornis stirtoni , until the discovery of Dromornis planei specimens were described in 2016. The fossil remains of a large femur were discovered at Peak Downs in Queensland, at a depth of around 55 metres (180 ft) in a well shaft. This type of locality was described as an assemblage of boulders and pebbles beneath around thirty feet of alluvial soil;

13755-473: The species as 'thunderbirds' etc. have appeared in reports of their discovery, later terms such as "demon ducks" refer to their relationship to the extant waterfowl of the galloanseres . Dromornis is a genus of large to gigantic flightless birds of the Dromornithidae family. Members of this family lived from 8 million years ago until less than 30,000 years ago. Although they looked like giant emus , Dromornis and its relatives are more closely related to

13886-423: The species occurs is Cadbury's Kingdom, designated as Faunal Zone B which is also dated as early Miocene. The temporal range of these finds is approximately 25 to 16 mega-annum . The only known occurrence of this species is amongst the Riversleigh fauna , the site is located in the northeastern region of the Australian continent. Dromornis planei , formerly placed in a separate genus Bullockornis , lived in

14017-403: The species possessed a stocky build. A proposed common name, referring to its discoverer and locality, is Plane's bull bird. The site of its discovery was once semi-arid, containing low vegetation around seasonal wetlands and rivers. The species was first described by Patricia Vickers-Rich in 1979, assigning it to a new genus Bullockornis . The description's first generic epithet was derived by

14148-497: The specific name particular to the wolf. A botanical example would be Hibiscus arnottianus , a particular species of the genus Hibiscus native to Hawaii. The specific name is written in lower-case and may be followed by subspecies names in zoology or a variety of infraspecific names in botany . When the generic name is already known from context, it may be shortened to its initial letter, for example, C. lupus in place of Canis lupus . Where species are further subdivided,

14279-453: The specimens have been compared to Dromornis stirtoni , the gigantic "Stirton's thunderbird". A comparative analysis that included this femur indicated morphological characters assignable to either Dromornis or a continuation of a Ilbandornis woodburnei lineage, allied to more gracile species of the family, but these results were not considered to be necessarily characteristic to any dromornithid genera. A fragment of synsacrum found at

14410-412: The standard format for a species name comprises the generic name, indicating the genus to which the species belongs, followed by the specific epithet, which (within that genus) is unique to the species. For example, the gray wolf 's scientific name is Canis lupus , with Canis ( Latin for 'dog') being the generic name shared by the wolf's close relatives and lupus (Latin for 'wolf') being

14541-403: The taxon is termed a synonym ; some authors also include unavailable names in lists of synonyms as well as available names, such as misspellings, names previously published without fulfilling all of the requirements of the relevant nomenclatural code, and rejected or suppressed names. A particular genus name may have zero to many synonyms, the latter case generally if the genus has been known for

14672-411: The tentatively placed Ilbandornis lawsoni , resembling the large but more gracile modern birds such as ostriches and emus . The concentration of dromornithid species, and more generally, other fossils within this area is indicative of the phenomenon known as "waterhole-tethering", whereby animals would accumulate within the immediate area of water sources, many of which would then die. Whilst this

14803-409: The tentatively placed Ilbandornis lawsoni , resembling the large but more gracile modern birds such as ostriches and emus . The concentration of dromornithid species, and more generally, other fossils within this area is indicative of the phenomenon known as "waterhole-tethering", whereby animals would accumulate within the immediate area of water sources, many of which would then die. Whilst this

14934-424: The type for this species emerged many years later. The new material had been found while digging a well at Peak Downs and forwarded to Owen via W. B. Clarke , a geologist employed by the state of New South Wales, with a remark by Gerard Krefft that placed it with the New Zealand moas of Dinornis . Richard Owen found affinities and distinctions in an osteological comparison to species of the extinct Dinornis and

15065-566: The values quoted are the mean of "accepted" names alone (all "uncertain" names treated as unaccepted) and "accepted + uncertain" names (all "uncertain" names treated as accepted), with the associated range of uncertainty indicating these two extremes. Within Animalia, the largest phylum is Arthropoda , with 151,697 ± 33,160 accepted genus names, of which 114,387 ± 27,654 are insects (class Insecta). Within Plantae, Tracheophyta (vascular plants) make up

15196-429: The virus species " Salmonid herpesvirus 1 ", " Salmonid herpesvirus 2 " and " Salmonid herpesvirus 3 " are all within the genus Salmonivirus ; however, the genus to which the species with the formal names " Everglades virus " and " Ross River virus " are assigned is Alphavirus . As with scientific names at other ranks, in all groups other than viruses, names of genera may be cited with their authorities, typically in

15327-437: Was a large feathered bird that grew up to heights of 3 m (9.8 ft) and weights in excess of 500 kg and is widely thought to have been the largest avian species to have ever existed. Patricia Vickers-Rich first discovered the remains of the bird in 1979 in the Alcoota Fossil Beds in the Northern Territory of Australia . Large amounts of fragmentary material found at the Alcoota fossil site in Central Australia ,

15458-578: Was a large feathered bird which grew up over 3 m (9.8 ft) in height. This height is thought to have exceeded the tallest species of the genus Dinornis , which were the giant moas of New Zealand , and the Elephant Birds of Madagascar. This species is from the Dromornithidae family, which is a family of large flightless birds endemic to Australia. The weight of the animal is also thought to have been exceedingly large. Peter F. Murray and Patricia Vickers-Rich, in their work "Magnificent Mihirungs" (2004), utilised three varying scientific methods to derive

15589-417: Was curved and deep, the overall size of the head and skull was remarkably large. The species stood approximately 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) tall. It may have weighed up to 250 kg (550 lb). Features of skull, including a very large beak suited to shearing, have made some researchers consider that the bird may have been carnivorous , but most currently agree that it was a herbivore . The bird's skull

15720-486: Was described from specimens of cranial and post cranial material. The type material is the partial remains of a cranium, which was obtained at a locality named Hiatus A Site in the Carl Creek Limestone Formation; this location is one of the numerous study sites at the Riversleigh World Heritage Area . The specimens were discovered by two of the collaborating authors, Michael Archer and Suzanne J. Hand ,

15851-438: Was earlier described by Richard Owen in 1843. A femur that was forwarded to England, probably a dromornithid and since lost, suggested an Australian genus, but Owen withheld publication for many years. The type specimen, another femur, was found in a 55-metre-deep (180 ft) well at Peak Downs , Queensland , and subsequently described by Owen in 1872. Owen's new taxon was published in a series on prehistoric birds, read before

15982-470: Was extremely K-selected, likely requiring over a decade to reach its adult body size, after which skeletal maturity occurred and its growth rate retarded. At present the only recorded fossil discoveries of Dromornis stirtoni have been from the Alcoota Fossil Beds . This region is renowned for the discovery of well-preserved vertebrate fossils from the Miocene epoch (24–5 million years ago). At this location,

16113-419: Was extremely K-selected, likely requiring over a decade to reach its adult body size, after which skeletal maturity occurred and its growth rate retarded. At present the only recorded fossil discoveries of Dromornis stirtoni have been from the Alcoota Fossil Beds . This region is renowned for the discovery of well-preserved vertebrate fossils from the Miocene epoch (24–5 million years ago). At this location,

16244-415: Was first described by Patricia Vickers-Rich in 1979, assigning it to a new genus Bullockornis . The description's first generic epithet was derived by a partial reference to the Bullock Creek Site and the greek word for bird ornis , and the common name bull bird proposed by the author for genus. The type is a fossilised section of the right femur, with other material, vertebrae and a rib, also referred to

16375-470: Was found in a 55-metre-deep (180 ft) well at Peak Downs , Queensland , and subsequently described by Owen in 1872. Owen's new taxon was published in a series on prehistoric birds, read before the Zoological Society of London then appearing in its Transactions . The name of the genus is derived from Ancient Greek, dromos meaning running, a race, and ornitho , a bird. The genus and family are referred to as mihirung, distinguishing these birds from

16506-455: Was reported by W. B. Clarke, attributing it to Dinornis , in the Geological Magazine several years before. The femur is similar in size to Ilbandornis woodburnei , another dromornithid species. Other osteological features of the specimens have been compared to Dromornis stirtoni , the gigantic "Stirton's thunderbird". A comparative analysis that included this femur indicated morphological characters assignable to either Dromornis or

16637-481: Was silly, these things were very much more silly." The fossil deposits of Dromornis murrayi at the Hiatus site of Riversleigh have been dated as early Miocene and another as late Oligocene to early Miocene. This was established using correlation with the evolutionary stage of vertebrate species known from other sites at Riversleigh. Hiatus site is limestone deposited in an aquatic setting, lacking indicators for methods such as radiometric dating. Another site where

16768-410: Was sunk through 30 feet of the black trappean alluvial soil common in that part of Australia, and then through 150 feet of drift pebbles and boulders, on one of which boulders ("at that depth," 150 feet?) rested a short, thick femur, so filled with mineral matter (calc spar and iron pyrites) as to give the internal structure more the appearance of a reptilian than an ornithic bone." Owen notes the specimen

16899-432: Was the Oligocene to early Miocene, making this the earliest known species of the genus Dromornis . The size of these mihirungs was also determined to be the smallest of its genus. Dromornis murrayi was described from specimens of cranial and post cranial material. The type material is the partial remains of a cranium, which was obtained at a locality named Hiatus A Site in the Carl Creek Limestone Formation; this location

17030-444: Was the first of an extinct Australian avian species. Owen had previously sought evidence of Dinornis in the palaeontological collections of early Australian excavations. A femur that he had noted in the appendix of Thomas Mitchell 's explorations, found in a cave, did not allow him to confirm an alliance with any previously described species of large flightless birds. Owen withheld describing that specimen, now thought lost, until

17161-460: Was thin and had little bite force. Gastroliths are found with similar species of other regions, Genyornis , Ilbandornis and near relation Dromornis stirtoni , suggesting a herbivorous diet like the other species it is found alongside, yet suggestions have published that D. planei might have the carnivorous abilities attributed to the terror birds . Dromornis stirtoni , colloquially known as Stirton's mihirung and Stirton's thunderbird,

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