Piscator | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Suliformes |
Family: | Phalacrocoracidae |
Genus: | †Piscator |
Type species | |
†Piscator tenuirostris |
Piscator is a genus of extinct cormorant-like birds. One species, P. tenuirostris, has so far been described. The genus dates to the Priabonian of the Late Eocene.
Piscator was similar to the extant phalacrocoracidae, a piscivorous family of aquatic birds.[1] Remains were found in the Bracklesham Group in Hordle, England, which dates to the Priabonian, the last age of the Eocene epoch.[1][2]
The genus was introduced by Cyril A. Walker and Colin Harrison in 1976.[3] It was placed in class Aves incertae sedis by Jiří Mlíkovský in 2002.[2] The word piscator is Latin for "fisherman."
The type species, Piscator tenuirostris, is the oldest cormorant-like bird found in the fossil record.[1] Other fossils may also represent species in this genus, but they have not been described as such, with some residing in private collections.[1]