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Terror Bird Fossil Found in Colombia
Discovery of a 13-million-year-old terror bird fossil in Colombia sheds light on ancient ecosystems and predators.
Spanish
United States
Latin AmericaPaleontologyFossilBirdPredatorAncient Ecosystem
Cnn EspañolPapers In PaleontologyUniversidad De Los AndesUnión Internacional De Ciencias Geológicas (Iugs)Servicio Geológico Colombiano
César PerdomoFederico DegrangeAndrés Link
- What is the importance of the La Venta site where the fossil was found?
- The La Venta site in the Tatacoa Desert is a significant paleontological location, recently designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The discovery adds to its importance for understanding past ecosystems and climate.
- What significant paleontological discovery was recently made in Colombia?
- A 13-million-year-old fossil of a terror bird was discovered in Colombia's Tatacoa Desert. This is the first such discovery in the American tropics and provides insights into the paleofauna of the Middle Miocene.
- What other insights does this discovery offer regarding the ecosystem of the Middle Miocene?
- The fossil shows bite marks from another large predator, indicating interactions between top carnivores. This discovery helps scientists reconstruct the complex food web of the Middle Miocene.
- What characteristics of the discovered fossil indicate the size and predatory nature of the bird?
- The fossil, a tibiotarsus bone, suggests the bird was approximately 2.5 meters tall. Its size and characteristics indicate it was a powerful predator, using its strong beak like a guillotine.
- What is the broader significance of this discovery for understanding terror birds' geographic distribution?
- Terror birds were apex predators after the dinosaurs' extinction, primarily found in South America. This Colombian discovery confirms their presence in tropical regions as well, filling a gap in the fossil record.