THE EARLIEST RECORD FOR HONEYGUIDES (AVES: INDICATORIDAE), FROM THE EARLY PLIOCENE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Two new species of honeyguides (Indicatoridae) are described from the Lower Pliocene Upper Varswater Formation at Langebaanweg, South Africa. One of these species is referred to the genus Indicator, as Indicator sp. (taxon A), and comparable in size to the Lesser Honeyguide (I. minor). It is represented by a partial coracoid as well as 12 humeri, eight carpometacarpi, and two tarsometatarsi. The second species is slightly smaller than the Least Honeyguide (I. exilis). It is known from a fragmentary proximal humerus, a carpometacarpus and two tarsometatarsi, and cannot be referred to a particular genus of modern Indicatoridae, hence it is referred to Indicatoridae indet. (taxon B). Both species form the as yet earliest record of honeyguides in Africa and the world, and confirm the presence of woodland with mature trees suitable for cavity-nesting species at Langebaanweg during the Early Pliocene.