Eocoracias Temporal range:
Eocene,
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Fossil specimen | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Coraciiformes |
Family: | †
Eocoraciidae Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré, 2000 |
Genus: | †
Eocoracias Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré, 2000 |
Species: | †E. brachyptera
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Binomial name | |
†Eocoracias brachyptera Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré,
2000
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Eocoracias is an extinct genus of bird related to modern rollers and other Coraciiformes such as kingfishers, bee-eaters, motmots, and todies. It contains one species, Eocoracias brachyptera, and it lived approximately 47 million years ago ( Lutetian stage) based on dating of the fossil site. [1] It is known for a specimen having preserved non-iridescent structural coloration on its feathers, previously unknown in fossil birds. [2] Fossils have been found at the Messel Pit in Germany. [3]