[PaleoOrnithology • 2022] Cryptogyps lacertosus • A New Look at An Old Australian Raptor places “Taphaetus” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae)

Cryptogyps lacertosus (de Vis, 1905)

Cryptogyps Mather, Lee and Worthy 2022 gen. nov.

in Mather, Lee & Worthy, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1

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Abstract 

The Australian Pleistocene fossil record of the Accipitridae (hawks, eagles and Old World vultures) is sparse and poorly known. Only two extinct confirmed accipitrid species have been described for this time period; both have received little investigation since their description. One is “Taphaetus” lacertosus de Vis, 1905, described from a distal humerus and a quadrate from north-eastern South Australia. While this species was verified as an accipitrid in subsequent studies, its more precise taxonomic affinities have remained conjectural. In this study, a new analysis incorporating newly referred material and phylogenetic analyses using a wide range of accipitriforms reveals that the lectotype humerus of “T.” lacertosus is an Old World vulture in the subfamily Aegypiinae. The associated quadrate, one of two original syntypes from which de Vis named this species, is of an indeterminate species of ardeid. We erect the novel genus Cryptogyps, to accommodate the species ‘lacertosus’, as it cannot be placed in Taphaetus de Vis, 1891, because the type species of this genus, Uroaetus brachialis de Vis, 1889, was transferred back to the genus Uroaetus, a synonym of Aquila Brisson, by de Vis in 1905. Further, U. brachialis is now considered a synonym of Aquila audax (Latham, 1801). Moreover, Taphaetus de Vis, 1891 is a senior homonym of Taphaetus de Vis, 1905, type species Taphaetus lacertosus de Vis, 1905, making the 1905 version of the genus unavailable. Newly referred fossils from Wellington Caves (NSW) and the Nullarbor Plains (WA) reveal this taxon had a wide geographical range across Pleistocene Australia. The referred tarsometatarsus lacks hyper-developed trochleae, indicating that Cryptogyps lacertosus (de Vis, 1905) comb. nov., was probably a scavenger like other aegypiines. Identification of Cryptogyps lacertosus as an aegypiine significantly expands the palaeogeographical range of the Old World vultures, hitherto unknown in Australia. The avian guild of large, obligate scavenging birds of prey, is currently absent in the modern Australian biota, but its former presence is not surprising given the megafauna-rich communities of the Pleistocene.

Key words: Pleistocene fossil birds, Accipitriformes, extinction, scavengers, biogeography, Australia

Cryptogyps Mather, Lee and Worthy 2022 gen. nov.

Type species: ‘Taphaetus’ lacertosus de Vis, 1905: 

Annals of the Queensland Museum 6: 4, pl. 1, fig. 1.

Etymology: The name is derived from a combination of the Ancient Greek words ‘kryptós’ (hidden) and ‘gýps’ (vulture), in reference to the fact that this taxon was known for over 100 years but was generally believed to be an eagle. Cryptogyps also relates to the word ‘crypt’, a word used to describe an underground burial chamber, referencing the discovery of the new material in caves.

Conclusion: 

“Taphaetus” lacertosus de Vis, 1905, is confirmed to be a valid species of extinct accipitrid, for which the new genus Cryptogyps is erected. Cryptogyps lacertosus (de Vis, 1905) is shown to be an aegypiine vulture that was widespread in southern Australia in the middle to late Pleistocene. The presence of Old World vultures (Aegypiinae) among Pleistocene Australian accipitrids indicates that their taxonomic and ecological diversity was significantly greater then than it is today; the extinction of Cryptogyps lacertosus likely had a distinct impact on those ancient ecosystems.

Ellen K. Mather, Michael S. Y. Lee and Trevor H. Worthy. 2022. A New Look at An Old Australian Raptor places “Taphaetus” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa. 5168(1); 1-23. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1

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