A phasianid bird from the Pleistocene of Tainan: the very first avian fossil from Taiwan

Abstract Taiwan accommodates more than 600 avian species, including about 30 endemic ones. As yet, however, no fossil birds have been scientifically documented from Taiwan, so that the evolutionary origins of this diversified avifauna remain elusive. Here we report on very first bird Taiwan. This Pleistocene specimen, a distal end left tarsometatarsus, shows diagnostic features galliform Phasianidae, an asymmetric plantar articular facet trochlea metatarsi III. Our discovery phasianid opens new perspective studies evolution in because careful search for fossils suitable localities has potential recovering remains. In general, East Asia extremely poor record, especially if terrestrial are concerned, which impedes well-founded scenarios concerning arrival certain groups area. The Phasianidae exhibit high degree endemism and presents physical evidence presence phasianids island, some 400,000–800,000 years ago. specimen belongs to species size three larger occurring today ( Syrmaticus mikado , Lophura swinhoii Phasianus colchicus ). Still, unambiguous assignment either these is not possible due incomplete nature tarsometatarsus. Because former two yield data their existence geological past future finds allow identification species-level.