Jaw anatomy of Vegavis iaai (Clarke et al., 2005) from the Late Cretaceous Antarctica, and its phylogenetic implications

Abstract

Vegavis iaai is without any doubt the most complete and well-known Mesozoic bird from Antarctica. In spite of being known by several specimens, its highly specialized postcranial anatomy has obscured the recognition of its phylogenetic affinities. Skull material from Vegavis is scarce, and the lower jaw is known by a relatively well-preserved articular region of a partially articulated specimen (MACN-PV 19.748). The aim of the present contribution is to describe this articular region and to analyze its potential phylogenetic information. The articular region of Vegavis shows a unique combination of characters that separates it from most Mesozoic lineages. On the contrary, its anatomy is congruent with that of neornithine birds, and particularly from the neoavian clade Aequorlitornithes. Detailed comparisons led to the recognition of several shared features, including a well-developed transverse crest posterior to the articular cotyles, that bears a well-developed lateral tubercle; a short and ventrally deflected retroarticular process; a dorsally exposed posterior fossa; tree cotyles for jaw articulation, with a well-developed caudal cotyle fused to the medial cotyle; and lateral crest anteriorly projected with respect to the lateral cotyle. The three-cotyle articulation of the jaw of Vegavis invited us to review skull anatomy of its close kin Polarornis. A review of the bones of Polarornis indicates that the element previously identified as a quadrate is an uncertain bone, and thus, skull-jaw articulation of this taxon remains unknown. In contrast with previous contributions, we were not able to find diagnostic features of the Galloanserae clade on Vegavis jaw. The neoavian-like jaw of Vegavis contrasts with the anseriform signature of its postcranium, suggesting that this bird held some kind of morphological mosaicism on its skeleton.