Fossils of bony-tood birds (Pelagornithids), an ancient family of huge seafaring birds that lived about 62 million years ago were discovered by scientists in New Zealand. According to study published in journal Papers in Palaeontology, newly-discovered Protodontopteryx ruthae is kwn to be one of oldest named bird species in world. Earlier species was thought to have evolved in rrn Hemisphere but that ory has been upended by discovery of family's oldest, but smallest member in rth Canterbury, New Zealand.

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About bird

Researchers said that discovered bird species Protodontopteryx ruthae was only size of an aver gull but its descendants were some of biggest flying birds ever, with wingspans of more than five meters. features of family of seabirds include bony, tooth-like projections on edge of its beak designed for catching its prey probably fish. With evolution, its teeth turned needle-like which were likely used to catch soft-bodied prey like squid. last animal of species died out around 2.5 million years ago, just before modern humans evolved.
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fossil discovery

Several important scientific discoveries including ancient penguins and world's oldest tropic bird fossil have been found in Waipara Greensand site where Protodontopteryx skeleton was found. It was same team which discovered penguins which got hold of oldest bird species. partial Protodontopteryx skeleton was excavated by amateur last year and named Protodontopteryx ruthae after Love's wife Ruth, researchers said. Scofield, curator at Canterbury museum said that of fossilized bones suggests pelagornithids evolved in Sourn Hemisphere opposed to its earlier discovery in rrn Hemisphere.

"While this bird was relatively small, impact of its discovery is hugely significant in our understanding of this family," Scofield said.

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What sets bird apart from its family?

Similarly, Gerald Mayr of Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Germany said discovery of Protodontopteryx was "truly amazing and unexpected." He said that fossil is one of most complete specimens of a pseudo-tood bird. It also shows a number of unexpected skeletal features that contribute to a better understanding of evolution of se enigmatic birds, he ded. Protodontopteryxs' skeleton suggests it was less suited for long-distance flight. Pelagornithids which evolved later probably covered much shorter ranges. y soared over oceans with some species measuring up to 6.4 meters across wings, according to researchers.

(With inputs from PTI)

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