Oscaravis

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Oscaravis Temporal range: -Pleistocene
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Cathartiformes
Family:	†Teratornithidae
Genus:	†Oscaravis Suarez & Olson, 2009
Species:	†O. olsoni
Binomial name
†Oscaravis olsoni (Arredondo & Arredondo, 2002)
Synonyms
Teratornis olsoni Arredondo & Arredondo, 2002

Oscaravis olsoni (also known as the Cuban teratorn), of the

.

Ecology

Oscaravis olsoni was most prominently located in modern-day Cuba, as well as the outlying islands at the time. Due to their massive size and wingspan, it was believed^[

] to have survived on a diet of lizards, fish, and smaller birds, which it attacked using aerial assaults. Following the methodology of attacks, teratorns’ primary weapon was their large mouth, which it could use to swallow prey whole.

Extinction

Oscaravis olsoni became extinct during the Late Pleistocene Era along with the majority of the North American, South American, and European megafauna. Due to their large size, these megafauna needed such a large amount of resources. Because of this, their probability of going extinct was much higher than smaller animals.

New species

The extinct

(among others in the teratorn family) have convinced scientists to create a new sixth genus in the teratorn family, Oscaravis. The Cuban teratorn, previously named Teratornis olsoni, is the only species in this new genus. Analysis of incomplete skeletons of Cuban teratorns were done, comparing them to Teratornis merriami, as well as some modern condors. The comparisons showed differences in the bones. The Cuban teratorn did not have features especially typical to any specific species of teratorn. In many cases, its bones were larger than Teratornis merriami, supposedly its closest relative. Some of the differences in the fossil record suggest that some of the bones may have had slightly different functions. This clearly shows a differentiation in species. It seems that the Cuban teratorn, as the name suggests, was endemic to Cuba.

References

Bibliography

• Teratorns. –The La Brea Tar Pit Museum Page. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation
• Campbell, Kenneth E. et al. 1999. A New Genus for the Incredible Teratorn. Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology No. 89: 169–17.
• Suarez, William (Departamento de Paleogeografia y Paleobiologia, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural). Biological Society of Washington DOI. 10.1016/S0039-6028(99)01246-7