Protostrigidae Explained

Protostrigidae is a prehistoric family of owls which occurred in North America, Europe,^[1] and Asia^[2] during the Eocene and early Oligocene periods.^[1] Genera include Eostrix, Minerva, Oligostrix,^[1] and Primoptynx.^[3] In 1983, Cécile Mourer-Chauviré demonstrated that Protostrix is a junior synonym of Minerva.^[1]

Protostrigidae characteristics include strong first and second toes as well as a widened medial condyle of the tibiotarsus.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Book: Paleogene Fossil Birds. Gerald Mayr. 22 October 2019. Springer Science & Business Media. 1 April 2009. 9783540896289. 164–165.
2. Web site: The world's smallest owl, the earliest unambiguous charadriiform bird, and other avian remains from the early Eocene Nanjemoy Formation of Virginia (USA). Geral Mayr. 22 October 2019. October 2016. Paläontologische Zeitschrift.
3. Primoptynx poliotauros:
   Gerald Mayr, Philip D. Gingerich, Thierry Smith: Skeleton of a new owl from the early Eocene of North America (Aves, Strigiformes) with an accipitrid-like foot morphology, in: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, published online July 28, 2020; .
   55-Million-Year-Old Fossil of Large-Sized Owl Found in Wyoming, on: sci-news, Jul 31, 2020.