# Primophaps

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Extinct genus of birds

Primophaps Temporal range: Late Oligocene 28.1–23.03 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Genus: †Primophaps Worthy, 2012 Species: †P. schoddei Binomial name †Primophaps schoddei Worthy, 2012

***Primophaps*** is an [extinct](/source/Extinct) [genus](/source/Genus) of [pigeon](/source/Pigeon) from the [Late Oligocene](/source/Late_Oligocene) of [Australia](/source/Australia). It was described in 2012 by [Trevor Worthy](/source/Trevor_Worthy) from fossils found at the [Riversleigh World Heritage Area](/source/Riversleigh_World_Heritage_Area). It was closely related to the Australian bronzewing pigeons, especially those in the genus [Phaps](/source/Phaps). The genus contains only one species, ***P. schoddei***.

## History and naming

The [holotype](/source/Holotype) specimen, QMF 45234, of *Primophaps* was recovered from the ‘Hiatus A’ site at the [Riversleigh World Heritage Area](/source/Riversleigh_World_Heritage_Area), in the [Boodjamulla National Park](/source/Boodjamulla_National_Park) of north-western [Queensland](/source/Queensland). The specimen is a left [coracoid](/source/Coracoid) that was prepared from a block of limestone. It was described alongside fragmentary columbid fossils from [South Australia](/source/South_Australia) in 2012 by [Trevor Worthy](/source/Trevor_Worthy).[1]

The genus name comes from the [Latin](/source/Latin) *primordium*, (“beginning” or “origin”), and the [Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek) *phaps* (“pigeon”). The specific epithet honours Australian [taxonomist](/source/Taxonomist) [Richard Schodde](/source/Richard_Schodde) for his work on the relationships of Australian birds.[1]

## Description

*Primophaps* is similar to [bronzewing pigeons](/source/Phaps) in that the insertion of the plica synovialis coracoidea is represented by a small, distinct nodule present at the dorsal end of the coracoid that projects past the glenoid process. The nodule is separated from the articular facet for the [clavicle](/source/Clavicle) by a groove. This groove forms a link, in the form of an even curve, between the impression of the acrocoracohumeral ligament and the furrow for the M. supracoracoideus muscle. The insertion for the acrocoraco-acromion ligament is represented by a rugosity that is next to the medial side of the groove. The articular face for the clavicle is planar, with its sternal margin forming a crest.[1]

## Paleobiology

*Primophaps* is known exclusively from the [Late Oligocene](/source/Late_Oligocene) ‘Hiatus A’ site at Riversleigh, making it the oldest record of columbids globally.[1] Riversleigh, at the time, was covered in open temperate woodlands, with patches of rainforest possibly being present around forest pools and watercourses.[2][3] Like its relatives, the bronzewing pigeons, it probably was a ground feeder that ate seeds.[1]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Worthy2012_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Worthy2012_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Worthy2012_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Worthy2012_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Worthy2012_1-4) Worthy, T.H. (2012). "A phabine pigeon (Aves: Columbidae) from Oligo-Miocene Australia". *[Emu](/source/Emu_(journal))*. **112** (1): 23–31. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2012EmuAO.112...23W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012EmuAO.112...23W). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1071/MU11061](https://doi.org/10.1071%2FMU11061). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [83994441](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:83994441).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-T09_2-0)** Travouillon, K.J.; Legendre, S.; Archer, M.; Hand, S.J. (2009). "Palaeoecological analyses of Riversleigh's Oligo-Miocene sites: implications for Oligo-Miocene climate change in Australia". *Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology*. **276** (1–4): 24–37. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.02.025](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.palaeo.2009.02.025).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AlcheringaPleiogynium_3-0)** Andrew Rozefelds; Mary Dettmann; Trevor Clifford; Scott Hocknull; Nikki Newman; Henk Godthelp; Suzanne Hand; Michael Archer (2015). "Traditional and computed tomographic (CT) techniques link modern and Cenozoic fruits of *Pleiogynium* (Anacardiaceae) from Australia". *Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology*. **39** (1): 24–39. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2015Alch...39...24R](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015Alch...39...24R). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/03115518.2014.951916](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F03115518.2014.951916). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [128910436](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:128910436).

v t e Genera of pigeons, sandgrouse, mesites and their extinct allies Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Clade: Neoaves Clade: Columbimorphae Pteroclimesites Mesitornithiformes Mesitornithidae Mesitornis Monias Pterocliformes Pteroclidae †Archaeoganga †Gerandia †Leptoganga †Linxiavis Pterocles Syrrhaptes Columbiformes Columbidae incertae sedis †Arenicolumba †Bountyphaps †Dysmoropelia †Lithophaps †Microena †Primophaps †Rupephaps Columbinae Zenaidini Geotrygon Leptotila Leptotrygon Starnoenas Zenaida Zentrygon Columbini Columba †Ectopistes Macropygia Nesoenas Patagioenas Reinwardtoena Spilopelia Streptopelia Turacoena Claravinae Claravis Columbina Metriopelia Paraclaravis Uropelia Raphinae Phabini Gallicolumba Geopelia Geophaps Henicophaps Leucosarcia Ocyphaps Pampusana Petrophassa Phaps Raphini Caloenas †Deliaphaps Didunculus Goura †Microgoura †Natunaornis Otidiphaps †Pezophaps †Raphus Trugon Turturini Alectroenas Chalcophaps Oena Phapitreron Turtur Treronini Treron Ptilinopini Cryptophaps Drepanoptila Ducula Gymnophaps Hemiphaga Lopholaimus Ptilinopus †Tongoenas

Taxon identifiers Primophaps Wikidata: Q16988489 Wikispecies: Primophaps GBIF: 9312554 IRMNG: 1483659 Paleobiology Database: 430602

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