Fucadytes

Fucadytes
Temporal range:
Multiple images of the holotype of Fucadytes (SMF Av 672)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Suliformes
Family: †Plotopteridae
Subfamily: †Tonsalinae
Genus: †
Mayr & Goedert, 2025
Type species
† Fucadytes discrepans
Mayr & Goedert, 2025

Fucadytes is an extinct genus of penguin-like bird in the extinct family Plotopteridae.[1] There is currently only one species contained in this genus, Fucadytes discrepans. It lived in the state of Washington, US during the late Eocene to early Oligocene epoch. Fucadytes had reduced webbing and had a greater motility in its toes.[2]

The discovery of Fucadytes is from a partial fossil skeleton from the Jansen creek member of the Makah formation.[2]

Reference

  1. ^ Albuquerque, Carlos (2025-07-31). "Flightless seabirds hint at highly flying ancestor". Medium. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
  2. ^ a b Mayr, Gerald; Goedert, James L. "An unusual new species and additional fossils of the penguin-like Plotopteridae from the Paleogene of Washington State, USA". Historical Biology. 0 (0): 1–20. doi:10.1080/08912963.2025.2530147. ISSN 0891-2963.


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