A Fossil Thick-Billed Raven (Aves, Passeriformes: Corvidae) from the Lower Pleistocene of Crimea
Abstract
Abstract A new species of large corvid bird, Corvus venustus sp. nov., is described from the Lower Pleistocene (1.8–1.6 Ma) deposits of Taurida Cave, Crimea. It is morphologically most similar to the extant African Thick-billed Raven, C. crassirostris. This find represents the first fossil record of a bird from the African large-billed raven group (encompassing the extant species C. crassirostris and C. albicollis), indicating that this clade had a broader geographical distribution in the past. The discovery is significant for understanding the evolutionary history of ravens and related species of the family Corvidae. Morphometric analysis of the coracoid shape shows the distinctiveness of C. venustus and confirms the diagnostic value of the structure of this skeletal element for species discrimination within the genus Corvus.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
Evolution and Paleontology Studies
Morphological variations and asymmetry
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Paleontological Journal
- Publisher
- Pleiades Publishing Ltd
- Volume
- 60
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 195–203
- Publication date
- 1 April 2026
- Language
- EN