28. † Ornimegalonyx oteroi Arredondo, 1958

Cuban Giant Owl (Búho Gigante Cubano)

Ornimegalonyx oteroi Arredondo, 1958, El Cartero Cubano 17(7): 11.

Ornimegalonyx sp.: Arredondo 1964: 21.

Ornimegalonyx acevedoi: Arredondo, 1982: 45.

Ornimegalonyx minor: Arredondo 1982: 46.

Ornimegalonyx gigas: Arredondo 1982: 47.

Cathartes aura: Arredondo 1984: 9 (see Suárez 2001b: 110).

Ornimegalonix oteroi: Weesie 1988: 62 (lapsus calami).

Ornimegalonix oteroi: Arredondo Antúnez 2007: 153 (lapsus calami).

Ornimegalonix gigas: Arredondo Antúnez 2007: 153 (lapsus calami).

Ornimegalonix minor: Arredondo Antúnez 2007: 153 (lapsus calami).

Ornimegalonix acevedoi: Arredondo Antúnez 2007: 153 (lapsus calami).

Ornimegalonix minor: Gutiérrez Domech 2010: 12 (lapsus calami).

Ornimegalonix oteroi: González Alonso 2011: 270 (lapsus calami).

Ornimegalonix oteroi: González Alonso 2012: 207, 208 (lapsus calami).

Ornimegalonix oteroi: Aranda et al. 2020: 2 (lapsus calami).

History.— 2 January 1954: members of SEC collect the type material of what is initially considered a terror bird, family Phorusrhacidae Ameghino, at a cave deposit in western Cuba (Arredondo 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957a,b, 1958). July 1958: original description of Ornimegalonyx oteroi published (Arredondo 1958; see Brodkorb 1961). 27 March 1959: B. Patterson (MCZ, in litt. to O. Arredondo) reports an enormous owl identified in Cuban material sent to him for study (Arredondo 1964: 21). May 1961: lectotype designated and O. oteroi removed from Phorusrhacidae to Strigidae (Brodkorb 1961). July 1982: three additional species of Ornimegalonyx described from Cuba, O. acevedoi, O. minor and O. gigas (Arredondo 1982: 45–47). December 2000: first record in asphalt deposits at Las Breas de San Felipe, western Cuba (Iturralde-Vinent et al. 2000: 309, table 2). 2002: morphofunctional analysis of O. oteroi conducted (Alegre Lago 2002). 2020: direct 14 C dating of material (22 May) from Las Breas de San Felipe (Suárez 2020a: table 1). Species described by Arredondo (1982) considered (9 December) junior subjective synonyms of O. oteroi (Suárez 2020b).

Lectotype.—Left tarsometatarsus lacking distal end, SEC P-383.E, at MCZ, designated by Brodkorb (1961: 634) (Arredondo 1954: 48, fig. top right unnumbered: top centre [anterior], 1955: 26, fig. unnumbered*: left [anterior], 1958: 12, fig. top unnumbered: bottom centre [anterior], 1964: 19, fig. right unnumbered: top centre [anterior], 1975: 135, figs. 1: top centre [anterior], 2*: right [anterior], 1976, figs. 5: top centre [anterior], 7*: b [anterior], 1982, figs. 5: top centre [anterior], 6* [anterior]). Collected on 2 January 1954 by Manuel Rivero de la Calle, Juan N. Otero and O. Arredondo, on the floor of the main gallery at the type locality (see Arredondo 1954: 46, 1975: 134).

Other material. — Skeletal elements from the same individual, SEC P-383.E (see Arredondo 1958: 10). Skull: small fragments (Arredondo 1955: 25, 1975: 136). Mandible: articular portions (Arredondo 1975: 136, figs. 13* [lateral], 14* [ventral], 1976: 177, fig. 9*A [ventral], 1982: 42, fig. 10*A [lateral]). Vertebra: few of unknown position (Arredondo 1975: 136). Sternum: fragments (Arredondo 1975, fig. 11*: A [lateral], B [ventral], 1976: 177, figs. 8*: left [ventral], right [lateral]). Rib: fragments of unknown laterality (Arredondo 1955: 25, 1975: 136). Scapula: one of unknown laterality (Arredondo 1976: 177). Humerus: fragments of right and left (Arredondo 1975: 136, 1976: 177, 1982: 43). Ulna: fragments of right and left (Arredondo 1955: 25, 1975: 136). Radius: fragments of right and left (Arredondo 1955: 25, 1975: 136). Carpometacarpus: proximal left (Arredondo 1975: 148, fig. 12*: A [lateral], Arredondo 1982: 42, fig. 10*A [lateral]). Femur: left without internal condyle (Arredondo 1954: 48, fig. top right unnumbered: top right [posterior], 1955: 25, 1958: 12, fig. top unnumbered: left bottom [posterior], 1964: 19, fig. right unnumbered: top right [posterior], 1975: 135, figs. 1: top right [posterior], 2*: left [posterior], 1976: figs. 5 [posterior], 7*C [posterior]; 1982, figs. 5: right [posterior]), fragments of right (Arredondo 1976: 177). Tibiotarsus: right fragmentary (Arredondo 1954: 48, fig. top right unnumbered: left [posterior], 1955: 25, 1958: 12, fig. top unnumbered: right [posterior], 1964: 19, fig. right unnumbered: left [posterior], 1975: 135, fig. 1: left [posterior], 1976: fig. 5 [posterior], 1982, fig. 5: left [posterior]), fragments of left (Arredondo 1976: 177). Tarsometatarsus: fragments of right (Arredondo 1976: 177). Phalanges: pedals (Arredondo 1954: 48, fig. top right unnumbered: bottom right [ventral], 1955: 25, 1958: 12, fig. top unnumbered: top left [ventral], 1964: 19, fig. right unnumbered: bottom right [ventral], 1975: 135, fig. 1 bottom: right [ventral], 1976: figs. 5: bottom right [ventral], 1982, figs. 5: bottom right [ventral]), unguals (Arredondo 1954: 48, fig. top right unnumbered: bottom centre [lateral], 1955: 26, fig. unnumbered*: top centre [lateral], 1958: 10, fig. left*: 3 [lateral], 12, fig. top unnumbered: top centre [lateral], 1964: 19, fig. right unnumbered: bottom centre [lateral], 1975: 135, fig. 1 bottom: centre [lateral], 1976: fig. 5: bottom centre [lateral], 1982: fig. 5: bottom centre [lateral]). Date, locality and collectors as in ‘Lectotype’.

Type locality.— Caverna de Pío Domingo (PPD), Sierra de Sumidero, municipality of Minas de Matahambre, Pinar del Río province, Cuba (Arredondo 1958: 10). Fig. 3.

Distribution.—Cave and asphalt deposits in west and central Cuba (see Appendix). Pinar del Río. Minas de Matahambre: PCH (Alegre Lago 2002: 12–13; see Arredondo & Olson 1994: fig. 1A = tarsometatarsus [anterior]), PPD = type locality (Arredondo 1954: 48 [‘especie grande de ave prehistórica’], 96 [‘ave prehistórica de grandes y fuertes uñas’], 1955: 26 [‘ave prehistórica, tal vez andadora’], 1958: 11 [‘ Ornimegalonyx oteroi …nueva especie’; see Brodkorb 1961], 1975: 144, figs. 10*A = digit II, phalanx 2: top [lateral], bottom [ventral], 10*C = ungual phalanx [lateral], 11* = sternum: A [lateral], B [ventral], 151, fig. 13* = hypothetical skull and mandible reconstruction [lateral], 152, fig. 14* = mandible [ventral], 182, fig. 28* = skeleton [lateral], 1982: 42, figs. 16* = skull [ventral], 17*= mandible [ventral], 1984: 26, Alegre Lago 2002: 15). Artemisa. Caimito: ACP (Arredondo 1964: 19, fig. left unnumbered, centre = tibiotarsus: top [lateral], bottom [posterior]; left = tarsometatarsus [posterior], 21, fig. bottom unnumbered: skull [posterior], 1971: 96, fig. bottom left unnumbered* = skull: 1 [ventral], 2 [lateral], 1972a: table 1, 1972c: table 1, 1975: 137, fig. 3 = tarsometatarsus [posterior], fig. 4* = idem: left [anterior], centre [posterior], right [proximal], 138, fig. 7 = tibiotarsus [lateral], 141 [‘ Ornimegalonyx sp. ’], fig. 9 ‘A’ = left: femur [posterior], 9‘B’ = right: femur [posterior], 144, fig. 10*D = digit IV, phalanx 2: top [lateral], bottom [dorsal], 147, fig. 11* = sternum: A [lateral], B [ventral], 155 [‘ Ornimegalonyx sp. ’], figs. 15 = skull: A [anterior], B [ventral], 16* = skull [ventral], 1976: 177, figs. 4: a = tibiotarsus [lateral], b = tarsometatarsus [posterior], 8* = sternum: left [ventral], right [lateral], 9 = skull: b [anterior], c [ventral], 1982: 42, figs. 7: tarsometatarsus [posterior], fig. 8* idem: left [anterior], centre [posterior], right [proximal], fig. 14 = femur [posterior], 46 [‘ Ornimegalonyx minor sp. nov. ’; see Suárez 2020b], 28 [‘ Ornimegalonyx minor ’], Arredondo & Arredondo 2002a: table 1, 2002b: table 1, Alegre Lago 2002: 13–15, pl. 1: A = sternum [ventral]), C = scapula: 1 [ventral], 2 [dorsal], pl. 7 = tibiotarsus: A [posterior], B [anterior], pl. 8 = tarsometatarsus: A [anterior], B [posterior]), ACA (Arredondo 1955: 4 [‘ave fósil andadora’], 1958: 11, 1975: 148, 1982: 42, 1984: 26), ASA (Suárez 2000b: table 1, Alegre Lago 2002: 13–15, pl. 3B = ulna: 1 [ventral], 2 [dorsal], Arredondo & Arredondo 2002a: table 1, 2002b: table 1), AQS (WS unpubl.). Bauta: ACL (Arredondo 1984: 8–9 [‘ Cathartes aura ’, reidentified by Suárez 2001b: 110]). La Habana. Marianao: HFT (Alegre Lago 2002: 14). Mayabeque. Bejucal: YCT (Alegre Lago 2002: 14). Quivicán: YBL (Jiménez Vázquez et al. 1995, Alegre Lago 2002: 14–15, pl. 3A = radius: 2 [palmar], Arredondo & Arredondo 2002b: table 1), YIN and YCH (Alegre Lago 2002: 14–15), YTU (Arredondo 1964: 21 [‘ Ornimegalonyx ’], Acevedo González et al. 1975: 19, Arredondo 1975: 138, fig. 6* = tarsometatarsus: left [anterior], right [medial], 144, fig. 10*B = digit II, phalanx 2: top [lateral], bottom [ventral], 183, fig. 29* = hypothetical external aspect [lateral], 1982: 42, 1984: 26, Alegre Lago 2002: 14–15). San José de las Lajas: YCI (Jiménez Vázquez & Valdés Ruiz 1995: 62 [‘ Ornimegalonyx sp. ’], Rojas Consuegra et al. 2012: 10 [‘ Ornimegalonyx sp. ’], Alegre Lago 2002: 13–15). Matanzas. Cardenas: MCQ (Arredondo 1964: 21 [‘un ejemplar mayor que el de “Pío Domingo”’], 1975: 137 [‘ Ornimegalonyx cf. oteroi ’], fig. 5* = tarsometatarsus: left [anterior], right [posterior], 183, fig. 29* = hypothetical external aspect [lateral], 1982: 45 [‘ Ornimegalonyx acevedoi sp. nov. ’], fig. 12* = tarsometatarsus: left [anterior], right [posterior], 1984: 27–28 [‘ Ornimegalonyx acevedoi ’]), MCB (Orihuela 2019, fig. 7 = tarsometatarsus: A [anterior], B [posterior], C [lateral]). Martí: MLB (Iturralde-Vinent et al. 2000: table 2, Alegre Lago 2002: 14–15, Suárez 2020a: 31–32, fig. 12E–H = tarsometatarsus: E [anterior], F [proximal], G [distal], H [posterior]). Jagüey Grande: MFJ (cf. CLV). Sancti Spíritus. Yaguajay: SPH (Arredondo 1964: 21 [‘ Ornimegalonyx ’], Alegre Lago 2002: 13, pl. 1B = coracoid [internal], 2 = humerus: A [anconal], B [palmar], 6 = femur: A [posterior], B [anterior]). Sancti Spíritus: SPC (Arredondo 1964: 21, 1975: 141, fig. 8* = femur [anterior], Arredondo 1982: 47 [‘ Ornimegalonyx gigas sp. nov. ’], fig. 15* = femur [anterior]), Arredondo 1984: 29 [‘ Ornimegalonyx gigas ’]). Camagüey. Sierra de Cubitas: CEN (Kurochkin & Mayo 1973 [‘ Ornimegalonyx ’]). Isla de la Juventud: IPE (Arredondo 1982: 42).

Direct 14 C dating.—Late Pleistocene (MLB): 22,000 ± 2,600 14 C yr BP (Suárez 2020a: table 2, tarsometatarsus).

Notes.—The commonest of the Cuban extinct species of Strigidae, its remains are frequently present in fossil deposits at low elevations (see Suárez & Olson 2015: 550). O. oteroi is the largest owl ever known, living or extinct (Arredondo 1975, 1976, 1982, 1984, Olson 1978, 1985; see also Alcover et al. 1999, Louchart 2005), a weak flier (but not ‘flightless’, see Alegre Lago 2002) with considerable sexual and individual variation (Arredondo 1975, Alegre Lago 2002, Suárez 2020b). Ornimegalonyx is a member of the Striginae, closely related to the modern genera Strix Linnaeus and Ciccaba Wagler, as noted by E. Kurochkin (Olson 1978, 1984). Erection of a separate subfamily for the Cuban taxon, announced by Arredondo Antúnez (2007: 153), is not supported by osteological characters. Some authors, in early studies of Ornimegalonyx (cf. Arredondo 1964, Kurochkin & Mayo 1973), but also more recently (Morgan & Albury 2013), called it a ‘flightless barn owl’ (= Tytonidae) which is incorrect (see comment in Arredondo 1975: 134, footnote).