Megalodytes Explained

Megalodytes is an extinct genus of waterfowl. The only known species, M. morejohni, is known from fragmentary wingbones found in Middle Miocene-aged marine strata of Kern County, California.^[1] Other material from similarly aged material from Japan originally referred to Megalodytes is now referred to the genus Annakacygna^[2]

Notes and References

1. Howard, H. (1992): New records of Middle Miocene anseriform birds from Kern County, California. In K. E. Campbell Jr. (ed.), Papers in Avian Paleontology Honoring Pierce Brodkorb. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Science Series, 36: 231-237.
2. Hiroshige, M. A. T. S. U. O. K. A., and H. A. S. E. G. A. W. A. Yoshikazu. "Annakacygna, a new genus for two remarkable flightless swans (Aves, Anatidae, Cygnini) from the Miocene of Gunma, central Japan: With a note on the birds’ food niche shift and specialization of wings for parental care actions." Bulletin of Gunma Museum of Natural History 26 (2022)