† Oscaravis olsoni (Arredondo & Arredondo, 2002b)

Cuban Teratorn; Teratorno Cubano

(Figure 5: A–F)

Teratornis olsoni Arredondo & Arredondo, 2002b, Poeyana, no. 470–475 [for 1999], p.16.

Referred material. San Felipe I: Right cuneiform, MNHNCu 75.4663; distal half of fragmentary left tibiotarsus, MNHNCu 75.4659; distal end of right tibiotarsus without anterior portions of the external condyle, MNHNCu 75.4660; distal end of right tibiotarsus without condyles, MNHNCu 75.4858; distal end of right tarsometatarsus, MNHNCu 75.4662. San Felipe II: Distal end of fragmentary left femur, MNHNCu 75.4857; distal end of left tarsometatarsus, MNHNCu 75.4661.

Description. Cuneiform resembles Teratornis merriami L. Miller, 1909, in general morphology although it is massive, especially in its ventral ramus, with greater ulnar joint and dorsal ramus connected to the body of the bone at a more open angle than in T. merriami or Aiolornis incredibilis Campbell, Scott & Springer, 1999 (see also Howard 1952). For description of the femur, an element partially known in the deposits under study, see Arredondo & Arredondo (2002b), and Suárez & Olson (2009a). Tibiotarsus (Fig. 5 A–C) with a broad and expanded shaft at its junction with the condyles, broad tendinal groove and foramen, reduced internal condyle, wide intercondylar fossa (proximad). Tarsometatarsus (Fig. 5 D–F) with short trochlea metatarsi III, proportionally long trochleae metatarsorum II and IV; relatively wide intertrochlear spaces. For comparisons, measurements, and a more complete description of this material, see Suárez & Olson (2009a).

Comments. The extinct family Teratornithidae was recorded outside continental America as Teratornis sp., by Suárez & Arredondo (1997). Following this record, T. olsoni Arredondo & Arredondo, 2002b, was described from Cuba, based on part of the fossils then known. New material (including specimens treated here), and a first revision of the Cuban Teratorn allowed erection of the genus Oscaravis (Suárez & Olson 2009a). Oscaravis olsoni has a larger size compared with Taubatornis campbelli Olson & Alvarenga, 2002, but is smaller than the remaining taxa described in different genera for the family (Teratornis L. Miller 1909, Cathartornis L. Miller 1910, Argentavis Campbell & Tonni 1980, Aiolornis Campbell et al. 1999; see also Campbell & Stenger 2002). This teratorn provides evidence of the ability of some members of Teratornithidae for overwater dispersal, not dependent on a continuous land bridge for expansion to North America (Olson & Alvarenga 2002; Suárez & Olson 2009a). Orihuela (2019:53) erroneously stated that in Cuba was “un teratornítido con adaptaciones que indican capacidades nulas o limitadas de vuelo” [a teratornitid with adaptations that indicate no or limited flight capabilities]. In the anatomy of O. olsoni such adaptations do not exist (see Arredondo & Arredondo 2002b; Suárez & Olson 2009a).