An exceptional partial skeleton of a new basal raptor (Aves: Accipitridae) from the late Oligocene Namba formation, South Australia

The Australian pre-Pleistocene fossil record of Accipitridae (eagles, hawks, old-world vultures) comprises one latest Oligocene or early Miocene and middle species, each represented by partial bones. Globally, most accipitrids are based on single recent discovery an older considerably more complete accipitrid from late sediments in Australia is therefore significant. It derived the Pinpa Local Fauna Namba Formation at Lake Pinpa, South (~26–24 Ma). fossil, described as Archaehierax sylvestris gen. et sp. nov., represents a raptor that was larger than black-breasted buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon but smaller gracile wedge-tailed eagle Aquila audax. Comprehensive morphological molecular phylogenetic analyses resolved basal accipitrid, not closely related to any living subfamily perhaps sister taxon all other exclusive elanines. Relatively short wings similar species Spizaetus Spilornis suggest it adapted for flight within enclosed forests. Additional fossils Formation, distal femur humerus, incomparable with holotype A. sylvestris; they may represent distinct individuals new taxon. lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6A25C569-3E9F-43B8-AAF8-F36CE405C06E