Page 41 - Prehistoric Animals
P. 41
Die-A-Trama
Diatryma
Gastornis* is an extinct genus of
large flightless birds that lived during
the mid Paleocene to mid Eocene, 40 to
50 million years ago. Fossils of the bird
have been found in Europe, Asia, and
North America. Several species have
been identified, the largest, of which is,
Gastornis gigantea. It stood about 7ft
tall, and weighed in around, 170 kg.
Gastornis had very small wings,
but a large head with an equally large
beak. Its legs, although short, were strong and sturdy and it had large
feet equipped with sharp, but small, talons. Its plumage is not known.
However, a Fossil found in Roan Creek, Colorado did have some mate-
rial attached that seemed to be feathers. This material was later found
to be vegetation that was simply attached to the fossil.
Over the years Gastornis has proven a bit of a conundrum. With
the structure of its body it was first thought it belonged in the group
(Gruiformes) that contains cranes, bustards and rails. Later on it was
put forward that it may belong to the group, (Galloanserae) fowls, that
contains chickens and all kinds of waterfowl.
If grouping Gastornis wasn’t enough, what it ate has proven even
more contentious. Was it Carnivore, Herbivore or Omnivorous? Some
claim it was definitely a Carnivore, pointing to its large beak and sharp
talons and the fact that its powerful legs could easily keep-up and catch-
ing the fastest of small mammals. Some however, disagree, Gastornis
beak is blunt; it does not have the downward sharp point needed by
carnivores to rip at flesh. They also claim that its talons are too short
and are more suited for scraping, not grasping its prey. They believe
Gastornis was an herbivore, living on vegetation. Others believe Gastor-
nis was suited to living on both vegetation and meat and was Omniv-
orous.
Although fossils of Gastornis are still being unearthed, one ap-
pears to have feathers, there is still a great deal to be learnt about this
flightless bird. Even its disappearance cannot be explained. Why and
when this very adaptable bird went extinct is a total mystery.
*After extensive study both the genus Gastornis and genus Diatryma were found to be
of the same species. Under the rule that states the first named takes precedence. Gastornis
first named in 1855 is the now the designated name for all species of the genus Diatryma; first
named by Edward Drinker Cope in 1876.