Geronticus thackerayi, sp. nov. (Aves, Threskiornithidae), a new ibis from the hominin-bearing locality of Kromdraai (Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng, South Africa)

A new species of ibis, Geronticus thackerayi, has been identified from the Kromdraai fossil site in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. This discovery, based on a well-preserved fossilized skull, provides insights into the avian fauna that coexisted with early hominins during the Pleistocene epoch. The species is distinguished by its unique cranial morphology, contributing to our understanding of ibis evolution and paleoecology in this significant World Heritage Site. The study employed comparative anatomical analysis and phylogenetic methods to characterize the fossil, revealing its distinct traits and evolutionary relationships within the Threskiornithidae family.

Pavia, M. (2019). Geronticus thackerayi, sp. nov. (Aves, Threskiornithidae), a new ibis from the hominin-bearing locality of Kromdraai (Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng, South Africa). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 39(3), e1647433. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2019.1647433