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{{Expand Dutch| Kelenken|date=June 2012}}
{{Expand Dutch| Kelenken|date=June 2012}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2016}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Italic title}}
{{speciesbox
{{speciesbox
| image = Kelenken.jpg
| image = Kelenken.jpg
| image_caption = Life restoration
| image_caption = Life restoration
| fossil_range = [[Miocene]], {{fossilrange|15}}
| fossil_range = [[Miocene|Mid Miocene]] ([[Colloncuran]])<br>~{{fossilrange|15}}
| subfamilia = [[Phorusrhacinae]]
| genus = Kelenken
| genus = Kelenken
| parent_authority = Bertelli ''et al.'', 2007
| parent_authority = Bertelli ''et al.'' 2007
| species = guillermoi
| species = guillermoi
| authority = Bertelli ''et al.'', 2007
| authority = Bertelli ''et al.'' 2007
}}
}}


'''''Kelenken guillermoi''''' is a species of giant flightless predatory [[bird]] of the extinct [[family (biology)|family]] [[Phorusrhacidae]], or "terror birds".
'''''Kelenken''''' is the largest genus of giant flightless predatory [[bird]]s of the extinct [[family (biology)|family]] [[Phorusrhacidae]], or "terror birds". The [[type species|type]] and only species is ''K. guillermoi'', first formally described in 2007 after the find in 1999.

== Etymology and discovery ==
The genus is named after [[Kélenken]], a [[demon]] in the mythology of the [[Tehuelche people]]. The species [[epithet]] refers to Guillermo Aguirre Zabala, who discovered the holotype fossil.<ref name=bertelli(2007)/>

A fossil of the genus was discovered in March 1999 by student Guillermo Oscar Aguirre Zabala and a friend, about {{convert|100|m|ft}} from the train station of [[Comallo]], a small village in the [[Río Negro Province]]. They were fossil hunting and found other fossils before. After discovering the fossil, they contacted the paleontological museum in [[Bariloche]]. The fossil was handed to the museum and was in their collection for five years before being formally described. The find was studied by paleontologist Luis María Chiappe, together with Sara Bertelli and Claudia Tambussi. Later, a complete lower leg bone ascribed to ''Kelenken'' was found.<ref name=Rehr2007>Rehr, 2007, 5:40-11:40</ref>


== Description ==
== Description ==
[[File:Kelenken_holotype_site.png|thumb|right|200px|Holotype location of ''Kelenken'']]
''K. guillermoi'' lived in the [[Langhian]] stage of the [[Miocene]], approximately 15 million years ago, in [[Argentina]].
[[File:Kelenken skull sketch.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sketch of the skull of ''Kelenken'']]
''Kelenken'' lived in the [[Langhian]] stage of the [[Miocene]], approximately 15 million years ago. Fossils were found in [[tuff]] beds of the [[Colloncuran]] [[Collón Cura Formation]] in the [[Cañadón Asfalto Basin]] of western [[Patagonia]], [[Argentina]].<ref>[http://fossilworks.org/bridge.pl?a=collectionSearch&collection_no=74646 Comallo] at [[Fossilworks]].org</ref>


It was the largest species of phorusrhacid, and with a [[skull]] 71.6&nbsp;cm (28.2&nbsp;inches) long, it possessed the largest head of any known bird. The [[tarsometatarsus]] of one fossil specimen is 43.7&nbsp;cm (17.2&nbsp;inches) long.<ref name=bertelli(2007)>{{Cite journal | last1 = Bertelli | first1 = S. | last2 = Chiappe | first2 = L. M. | last3 = Tambussi | first3 = C. | title = A new phorusrhacid (Aves: Cariamae) from the middle Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina | journal = Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology | volume = 27 | issue = 2 | pages = 409 | year = 2007 | doi = 10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[409:ANPACF]2.0.CO;2 | pmid = | pmc = | url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249023842_A_new_phorusrhacid_Aves_Cariamae_from_the_Middle_Miocene_of_Patagonia_Argentina}}</ref>
It was the largest species of phorusrhacid, and with a [[skull]] {{convert|71.6|cm|in}} long, it possessed the largest head of any known bird.<ref name=Jones2010_p10>Jones, 2010, p.10</ref> The [[tarsometatarsus]] of one fossil specimen is {{convert|43.7|cm|in}} long.<ref name=bertelli(2007)>Bertelli et al., 2007</ref> The discovery of the long leg bone led the researchers conclude ''Kelenken'' was a fast runner, more than other terror birds. The size of the skull and its jaw muscles led to the conclusion the terror bird had an enormous [[bite force]].<ref name=Rehr2007/>


==Paleobiology==
== Paleobiology ==
[[File:KelenkenOcciput.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Sketch of the rear part of the head of ''Kelenken'']]


===Diet===
=== Diet ===
It is not entirely clear how ''Kelenken'' captured and killed its prey. As a large flightless carnivore, ''Kelenken'' likely chased down and killed its prey with several bone-shattering blows from its massive beak. Another possibility is that it may have picked up its prey item, then proceeded to shake it vigorously in order to break its back. It is possible that ''Kelenken'' may also have been a scavenger, driving off other predators from their kills with its impressive size.
It is not entirely clear how ''Kelenken'' captured and killed its prey. As a large flightless carnivore, ''Kelenken'' likely chased down and killed its prey with several bone-shattering blows from its massive beak. Another possibility is that it may have picked up its prey item, then proceeded to shake it vigorously in order to break its back. It is possible that ''Kelenken'' may also have been a scavenger, driving off other predators from their kills with its impressive size.


==References==
== Taxonomy ==
''Kelenken'' is assigned to the subfamily [[Phorusrhacinae]], a subfamily of terror birds up to {{convert|3.2|m|ft}} high, but somewhat slender and decidedly more nimble than the [[Brontornithinae]], together with:
* ''[[Devincenzia]]'', [[Oligocene|Late Oligocene]] to [[Miocene|Early Miocene]] ([[Deseadan]]) [[Fray Bentos Formation]] of [[Uruguay]]<!-- ComPaleontolMusHistNatMontevideo3:2; INSUGEOCorrelGeol14:191 -->
* ''Kelenken'', [[Colloncuran]] of Río Negro Province, [[Argentina]]; largest known phorusrhacid
* ''[[Phorusrhacos]]'', Early to Middle Miocene ([[Santacrucian]]) [[Santa Cruz Formation]] of Argentina
* ''[[Titanis]]'', Early Pliocene to Early Pleistocene ([[Blancan]]) of Florida and Texas

== Paleoecology ==
{{see also|South American land mammal age}}
The [[Collón Cura Formation]] represents a transition from a forested ecological biome to more open [[pampa]]-type of vegetation. The formation has provided a rich assemblage of mammals, among others the rodent ''[[Guiomys|Guiomys unica]]'' and the [[sparassodont]] ''[[Patagosmilus|Patagosmilus goini]]'' and reptiles, mainly snakes and tortoises.<ref>Tonni & Carlini, 2008</ref>

== References ==
{{portal|Paleontology|Neogene|Prehistory of South America}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{Cite LSA |last=Bertelli |first=S. |last2=Chiappe |first2=L.M. |last3=Tambussi |first3=C. |year=2007 |title=A new phorusrhacid (Aves: Cariamae) from the middle Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249023842_A_new_phorusrhacid_Aves_Cariamae_from_the_Middle_Miocene_of_Patagonia_Argentina |journal=[[Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology]] |volume=27 |pages=409 |accessdate=2018-09-30}}
* {{cite LSA |last=Jones |first=Washington W |year=2010 |title=Nuevos aportes sobre la paleobiología de los Fororrácidos (Aves: Phorusrhacidae) basados en el análisis de estructuras biológicas (PhD thesis) |url=http://www.bib.fcien.edu.uy/files/etd/biol/uy24-14537.pdf |publisher=[[University of the Republic (Uruguay)|PEDECIBA]] |pages=1–213 |accessdate=2018-09-30}}
* {{cite LSA |last=Rehr |first=Darryl |year=2007 |title=Prehistoric Predators - Terror Bird |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kz9jqSsV24 |publisher=[[National Geographic]] |pages=5:40–11:40 |accessdate=2018-09-30}}
* {{cite LSA |last=Tonni |first=Eduardo P. |last2=Carlini |first2=Alfredo A. |year=2008 |title=Chapter 13, "Neogene Vertebrates from Argentine Patagonia: Their Relationship with the Most Significant Climatic Changes" in "J. Rabassa (ed.) The Late Cenozoic of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego" |publisher=Elsevier Science |pages=269–284}}

== Further reading ==
{{commonscat|Kelenken}}
* {{cite LSA |last=Dalla Salda |first=Luis |last2=Franzese |first2=Juan |year=2014 |title=Las megaestructuras del Macizo y Cordillera Norpatagónica argentina y la génesis de las cuencas volcano-sedimentarias terciarias |url=http://www.andeangeology.cl/index.php/revista1/article/viewFile/V14n2-a01/pdf |journal=[[Revista Geológica de Chile]] |volume=31 |pages=3–13 |accessdate=2018-09-04}}
* {{cite LSA |last=Degrange |first=F.J. |last2=Tambussi |first2=C.P. |last3=Moreno |first3=K. |last4=Witmer |first4=L.M. |last5=Wroe |first5=S. |year=2010 |title=Mechanical Analysis of Feeding Behavior in the Extinct "Terror Bird" ''Andalgalornis steulleti'' (Gruiformes: Phorusrhacidae) |url=https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011856&type=printable |journal=[[PLoS ONE]] |volume=5 |pages=e11856 |accessdate=2018-09-30}}
* {{cite LSA |last=Escosteguy |first=Leonardo |last2=Franchi |first2=Mario |year=2010 |title=Estratigrafía de la región de Chapelco, Provincia del Neuquén |url=http://www.scielo.org.ar/pdf/raga/v66n3/v66n3a12.pdf |journal=[[Revista de la Asociación Geológica Argentina]] |volume=66 |pages=418–429 |accessdate=2018-09-10}}
* {{cite LSA |last=Kramarz |first=Alejandro |last2=Garrido |first2=Alberto |last3=Forasiepi |first3=Analía |last4=Bond |first4=Mariano |last5=Tambussi |first5=Claudia |year=2005 |title=Estratigrafia y vertebrados (Aves y Mammalia) de la Formación Cerro Bandera, Mioceno Temprano de la Provincia del Neuquén, Argentina |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Analia_Forasiepi/publication/250374050_Estratigrafia_y_vertebrados_Aves_y_Mammalia_de_la_Formacion_Cerro_Bandera_Mioceno_Temprano_de_la_Provincia_del_Neuquen_Argentina/links/0deec5382a850ee47c000000/Estratigrafia-y-vertebrados-Aves-y-Mammalia-de-la-Formacion-Cerro-Bandera-Mioceno-Temprano-de-la-Provincia-del-Neuquen-Argentina.pdf |journal=[[Revista Geológica de Chile]] |volume=32 |pages=273–291 |accessdate=2017-10-20}}


{{Taxonbar|from=Q133129}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q133129}}


⚫
[[Category:Extinct flightless birds]]
⚫
[[Category:Miocene birds]]
[[Category:Phorusrhacidae]]
[[Category:Phorusrhacidae]]
⚫
[[Category:Extinct flightless birds]]
[[Category:Prehistoric bird genera]]
[[Category:Miocene birds of South America]]
[[Category:Miocene birds of South America]]
⚫
[[Category:Colloncuran]]
[[Category:Neogene Argentina]]
[[Category:Fossils of Argentina]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2007]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2007]]
[[Category:Prehistoric bird genera]]
[[Category:Chonan languages]]


{{paleo-bird-stub}}

Revision as of 16:39, 30 September 2018

Kelenken
Temporal range: Mid Miocene (Colloncuran)
~15 Ma
↓
Life restoration
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Cariamiformes
Family: †Phorusrhacidae
Genus: †Kelenken
Bertelli et al. 2007
Species:
†K. guillermoi
Binomial name
†Kelenken guillermoi
Bertelli et al. 2007

Kelenken is the largest genus of giant flightless predatory birds of the extinct family Phorusrhacidae, or "terror birds". The type and only species is K. guillermoi, first formally described in 2007 after the find in 1999.

Etymology and discovery

The genus is named after Kélenken, a demon in the mythology of the Tehuelche people. The species epithet refers to Guillermo Aguirre Zabala, who discovered the holotype fossil.[1]

A fossil of the genus was discovered in March 1999 by student Guillermo Oscar Aguirre Zabala and a friend, about 100 metres (330 ft) from the train station of Comallo, a small village in the Río Negro Province. They were fossil hunting and found other fossils before. After discovering the fossil, they contacted the paleontological museum in Bariloche. The fossil was handed to the museum and was in their collection for five years before being formally described. The find was studied by paleontologist Luis María Chiappe, together with Sara Bertelli and Claudia Tambussi. Later, a complete lower leg bone ascribed to Kelenken was found.[2]

Description

Holotype location of Kelenken
Sketch of the skull of Kelenken

Kelenken lived in the Langhian stage of the Miocene, approximately 15 million years ago. Fossils were found in tuff beds of the Colloncuran Collón Cura Formation in the Cañadón Asfalto Basin of western Patagonia, Argentina.[3]

It was the largest species of phorusrhacid, and with a skull 71.6 centimetres (28.2 in) long, it possessed the largest head of any known bird.[4] The tarsometatarsus of one fossil specimen is 43.7 centimetres (17.2 in) long.[1] The discovery of the long leg bone led the researchers conclude Kelenken was a fast runner, more than other terror birds. The size of the skull and its jaw muscles led to the conclusion the terror bird had an enormous bite force.[2]

Paleobiology

Sketch of the rear part of the head of Kelenken

Diet

It is not entirely clear how Kelenken captured and killed its prey. As a large flightless carnivore, Kelenken likely chased down and killed its prey with several bone-shattering blows from its massive beak. Another possibility is that it may have picked up its prey item, then proceeded to shake it vigorously in order to break its back. It is possible that Kelenken may also have been a scavenger, driving off other predators from their kills with its impressive size.

Taxonomy

Kelenken is assigned to the subfamily Phorusrhacinae, a subfamily of terror birds up to 3.2 metres (10 ft) high, but somewhat slender and decidedly more nimble than the Brontornithinae, together with:

Paleoecology

See also: South American land mammal age

The Collón Cura Formation represents a transition from a forested ecological biome to more open pampa-type of vegetation. The formation has provided a rich assemblage of mammals, among others the rodent Guiomys unica and the sparassodont Patagosmilus goini and reptiles, mainly snakes and tortoises.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Bertelli et al., 2007
  2. ^ a b Rehr, 2007, 5:40-11:40
  3. ^ Comallo at Fossilworks.org
  4. ^ Jones, 2010, p.10
  5. ^ Tonni & Carlini, 2008

Bibliography

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kelenken.
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