ABSTRACT
Olson, Storrs L., and David C. Parris. The Cretaceous Birds of New Jersey. Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology, number 63, 22 pages, 11 figures, 1987.—This is a revision of the fossil birds from Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian; Hornerstown and Navesink formations) deposits in New Jersey. Material of previously named taxa, described over a century ago, is augmented by more recently collected specimens from a new locality at the Inversand Company marl pits near Sewell, Gloucester County. With about 8 genera and 9 species, this is the most diverse Cretaceous avifauna yet known. Most species belong to a group of primitive Charadriiformes resembling in limb morphology the fossil family Presbyornithidae and the living family Burhinidae. These are tentatively referred to the "form family" Graculavidae Fürbringer, 1888, with its provisional synonyms Palaeotringinae Wetmore, 1940; Telmatornithidae Cracraft, 1972, and Laornithidae Cracraft, 1972. The species included are: Graculavus velox Marsh, 1872; Telmatornis priscus Marsh, 1870 (synonyms: Telmatornis affinis Marsh, 1870; Graculavus pumilis Marsh, 1872; Palaeotringa vetus Marsh, 1870); Anatalavis rex (Shufeldt, 1915); Laornis edvardsianus Marsh, 1870; Palaeotringa littoralis Marsh, 1870; P. vagans Marsh, 1872; and an undescribed genus and species probably different from any of the preceding. Anatalavis is proposed as a new genus for Telmatornis rex Shufeldt, 1915. A new family, genus, and species (Tytthostonychidae, Tytthostonyx glauconiticus) is proposed for a humerus showing similarities to the Pelecaniformes and Procellariiformes and tentatively referred to the latter, along with an ulna of a much smaller species. The species in this fauna appear to be part of the modern radiation of neognathous birds, but none can be referred to modern families.
Official publication date is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in the Institution's annual report, Smithsonian Year. Series cover design: The trilobite Phacops rana Green.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Olson, Storrs L.
The cretaceous birds of New Jersey.
(Smithsonian contributions to paleobiology; no. 63)
Bibliography: p.
1 Birds Fossil. 2. Paleontology—Cretaceous. 3. Paleontology—New Jersey.
I. Parris, David C. II. Title. III. Series.
QE701.S56 no. 63 560 s 86-29837 [QE871] [568'.09749]