taxonID	type	description	language	source
DC3487FAFFDDB047FF075444FA97F81B.taxon	description	Throughout most of Australia, the Pleistocene (2.56 Ma – 11.7 Ka) epoch was marked by arid climatic conditions, with the environment dominated by grasslands, open woodland (Sniderman et al. 2007) and desert (Hesse et al. 2004), similar to the present day. The Australian megafauna, which included at least 20 genera of large mammals, four of large birds, and three of large reptiles (Wroe et al. 2013; Johnson et al. 2021), inhabited these environments until most of them went extinct between 50 – 40 Ka (Roberts et al. 2001; van der Kaars et al. 2017). The raptor guild of the Pleistocene can be assumed to have comprised most of the living Australian species, with fossil material of Aquila audax (Latham) (Wedge- tailed Eagle) at least 500 – 200 Ka old (Baird 1991; EKM, THW unpublished data). However, two extinct species that represent potential additional diversity have been described from this epoch; Aquila brachialis (de Vis, 1889) and “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis, 1905 (Gaff 2002 unpublished thesis; Boles 2006, 2017; Worthy & Nguyen 2020).	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFD8B041FF075150FF5AFB2A.taxon	materials_examined	The lectotype of ‘ Taphaetus’ lacertosus de Vis, 1905, a distal right humerus, QM F 5507, is identified as an accipitrid based on the presence of the following characters: The distal margin of the fossa brachialis extends distal to the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale; a distinct sulcus scapulotricipitalis; the proximal margin of the condylus dorsalis is roughly level with the ventral tip of the epicondylus ventralis; a distinct circular dorsal insertion for the m. extensor metacarpi radialis on the dorsal projection of the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale; a distinct pit for the insertion of the m. pronator superficialis ventrally adjacent to and slightly proximal to the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale; and the epicondylus ventralis is markedly ventrally prominent.	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFD8B041FF075150FF5AFB2A.taxon	description	This fossil is readily distinguished from the following similar-sized birds likely to be encountered in Pleistocene Australian fossil sites. - From Ciconiidae (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) by the following characters (ciconiid state in brackets): The tuberculum supracondylare dorsale is strongly projecting (little to no projection); the dorsal sulcus of the m. humerotricipitalis is narrow, just under a third of the shaft width (broad, roughly half the shaft width); the ventral sulcus of the m. humerotricipitalis is broad, twice the width of the dorsal sulcus (narrow, half the width); the epicondylus ventralis and the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale are distinctly separated from each other (continuous / overlapping); the dorsal insertion of the m. extensor metacarpi radialis is oval restricted to the dorsal facies (circular with a ventrally projecting line leading onto the cranial facies). - From Pelecanidae (Pelecanus conspicillatus) by the following characters (pelecanid state in brackets): The tuberculum supracondylare dorsale is strongly projecting (little to no projection); the origin of m. extensor digitorum communi is a small, circular pit on the dorsal facies between the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale and the epicondylus dorsalis (large, oval-shaped attachment scar); the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale is weakly projecting cranially (cranially flattened); there is no pneumatism of the distal end (pneumatic region present on cranial facies adjacent to tuberculum supracondylare ventrale); the epicondylus ventralis strongly projects ventrally (weak projection); the distal margin of the fossa brachialis is positioned distal to the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale (positioned proximal to the processus). - From Phoenicopteriformes (Phoenicopterus ruber) by the following characters (phoenicopterid state in brackets): the epicondylus ventralis projects prominently ventrally (little to no projection), the dorsal sulcus for the m. humerotricipitalis is under a third of the shaft width (half of shaft width), the ventral sulcus for the m. humerotricipitalis is twice the width of the dorsal sulcus (half the width of the dorsal sulcus), the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale is weakly projecting cranially (cranially flattened), the condylus dorsalis and condylus ventralis are separated by a distinct, deep incisura (narrow, shallow incisura). - From Ardeidae by the following characters (ardeid state in brackets): A deep fossa m. brachialis (shallow); a broad fossa m. brachialis, approximately two thirds of shaft width or more (narrow, one third of shaft width); a narrow sulcus for the dorsal belly of the m. humerotricipitalis (broad). Several features of the bone, notably its large size, are only matched by Aquila audax and Haliaeetus leucogaster in the Australian fauna. However, the combination of a narrow dorsal part of sulcus humerotricipitalis, a markedly prominent epicondylus ventralis, the dorsally inflated facies between the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale and the epicondylus dorsalis, and a distally short processus flexorius, distinguish it from all other accipitrids. As this humerus is unambiguously identifiable as that of an accipitrid and is distinguished from all known genera and species, ‘ Taphaetus’ lacertosus is confirmed as a distinct taxon. However, it requires a new genus, as Taphaetus de Vis, 1905 is a junior homonym of Taphaetus de Vis, 1891, and the latter is a junior synonym of Uroaetus Kaup, 1844 and so of Aquila Brisson, 1760. As the quadrate QM F 5508 was inaccessible at the time of this study, we instead used the descriptions and illustrations in de Vis (1905) to assess if the original identification was valid. QM F 5508 differs distinctly from quadrates of accipitrids, instead being similar to those of Ardeidae, particularly species in the genera Ardea and Egretta, by the following characters (accipitrid state in brackets): A large foramen pneumaticum caudomediale is positioned ventral to the capitulum oticum articular surface (no foramen pneumaticum, though a depressio caudomediale is present in some species); the capitulum oticum is positioned further dorsally relative to the capitulum squamosum (capitulum squamosum further dorsal); the width of the capitula and the width of the shaft are very similar, with little narrowing between the dorsal and ventral ends (shaft distinctly narrower than dorsal end); in caudal view, the condylus mandibularis medialis is positioned level with the condylus mandibularis lateralis, with both being equally visible (condylus mandibularis medialis set back rostrally, less visible than the condylus lateralis); the condylus mandibularis caudalis is prominently projecting caudally (projecting medially); the condylus mandibularis lateralis barely extends laterally from the shaft (extends prominently caudally); the condylus mandibularis medialis extends prominently medially from the shaft (little to no extension); a prominent secondary facet is present on the condylus mandibularis medialis (no secondary facet); in ventral view, the condyles project rostrally past the rostral margin of the articular surface (roughly in line with margin). The reported dorsal height of 22 mm is distinctly larger than that observed in the Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus (~ 15 – 16 mm). While the morphology of QM F 5508 is a better match for a heron, it is much larger than compared specimens of White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae and Grey Heron Ardea cinerea but could potentially be a match in size to that of the Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana). As QM F 5508 is not of an accipitrid, it is not considered further here.	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFDBB041FF075721F8CCF8A2.taxon	type_taxon	Type species: ‘ Taphaetus’ lacertosus de Vis, 1905: Annals of the Queensland Museum 6: 4, pl. 1, fig. 1.	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFDBB041FF075721F8CCF8A2.taxon	etymology	Etymology: The name is derived from a combination of the Ancient Greek words ‘ kryptós ’ (hidden) and ‘ gýps ’ (vulture), in reference to the fact that this taxon was known for over 100 years but was generally believed to be an eagle. Cryptogyps also relates to the word ‘ crypt’, a word used to describe an underground burial chamber, referencing the discovery of the new material in caves. Revised diagnosis: A large accipitrid, similar in size to Aquila audax, with humeri differing from all other Accipitridae by the following combination of characters: (1) a prominent dorsal convexity of the facies between the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale and the epicondylus dorsalis; (2) a strongly dorsally projecting tuberculum supracondylare dorsale; (3) a distinct and deepened attachment for the origin of m. extensor digitorum communi; (4) a large, shallow, circular attachment scar for the origin of the proximal head of m. pronator superficialis (= pronator brevis); (5) t he epicondylus ventralis is strongly projected ventrally as a craniocaudally elongate peak; (6) t he processus flexorius is distally short, ending proximal to the distal margin of the condylus ventralis; (7) and it has a narrow sulcus / groove for the dorsal belly of the m. humerotricipitalis.	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFDAB040FF0752A1F8B7FB4E.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality: Kalamurina, Warburton River, Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre Basin, SA. Collected by John W. Gregory in April 1902 (de Vis 1905). Stratigraphy and Geological age: Katipiri Formation; mid- to late Pleistocene; the fossils are assumed to have derived from fluvial sediments that outcrop in the banks of the river at this point. The associated fauna comprises the Kalamurina Fauna and is typical of the late Pleistocene (Tedford & Wells 1990; Tedford et al. 1992).	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFDAB040FF0752A1F8B7FB4E.taxon	description	Measurements (mm) of QM F. 5507: preserved distal width 35.5, lateromedial width of the condylus dorsalis 9.1, depth of the condylus dorsalis 22.3, proximodistal length of the condylus dorsalis 12.3, width of the condylus ventralis 14.1. Amended diagnosis: As for genus. Description: In addition to the diagnostic characters described above, the following characters serve to distinguish the species: (8) the palmar attachment for the m. extensor metacarpi radialis (Figure 1 A, C; PEMR) on the cranial facies immediately ventral of the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale (Figure 1 A; TSD), is shallow, roughly oval-shaped, and orientated dorsoventrally; (9) the sulcus for the dorsal attachment of the m. extensor metacarpi radialis (Figure 1 A, B; DEMR) is large and deep on the dorsal facies of the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale, and is directed dorsoproximally; (10) the epicondylus dorsalis is dorsally flat and does not project dorsally of the condylus dorsalis; (11) the fossa m. brachialis (Figure 1 A; FB) is deep, with the distal margin positioned well proximal to the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale; (12) the dorsal margin of the fossa m. brachialis extends close to (~ 2 mm) the dorsal margin of the shaft; (13) the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale (Figure 1 A; TSV) is not inflated ventrally and is moderately projected cranially; (14) the interior margin of the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale is aligned roughly parallel to the adjacent medial surface; (15) the attachment scars for the origin of the distal head of m. pronator superficialis and of m. pronator profundus are deep, with that for the former being deepest; (16) the incisura intercondylaris (Figure 1 A; II) is relatively broad, roughly 3 mm in width, and distinctly separates the two condyles cranially; (17) the distal point of the condylus dorsalis (Figure 1 A; CD) is set well proximal of the distalmost point of the condylus ventralis, with the distal margin forming a broad, shallow notch between the two condyles; (18) the distoventral margin of the condylus ventralis (Figure 1 A; CV) is continuous with the entepicondyle; (19) and the sulcus scapulotricipitalis (Figure 1 D; SST) is shallow and relatively broad.	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFD4B04EFF075129F97FFB4D.taxon	description	The Aegypiinae share states with the Gypaetinae for characters (3), (4), (5) and (13). The Aegypiinae differ in the following characters: (2) the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale does not project cranially in aegypiines; (11) the fossa m. brachialis is shallower than in Cryptogyps lacertosus in all species except those in Gyps and Aegypius; (15) only the origins for the distal m. pronator superficialis and profundus are distinct in Necrosyrtes monachus, while in all other taxa, the origin for the m. extensor metacarpi ulnaris is also distinct. The cranial-most attachment point is deeper than the caudal-most attachment, which latter is almost flat in A. monachus, G. fulvus and G. coprotheres, and the third insertion scar present in the aforementioned taxa is shallow; (17) the distal margin between the condyles forms a shallow, broad notch in the species of Gyps and N. monachus and is narrow and deep in A. monachus; (18) the distal margin of the condylus ventralis is not continuous with the entepicondyle in any species, except N. monachus (continuous).	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFD4B04EFF0752E9FA1CFD1D.taxon	description	(1) The dorsal facies between the tuberculum supracondylare dorsale and epicondylus dorsalis is less inflated as a convex surface compared to the fossil, barely projecting dorsal of these two points; (3) the insertion point for the m. extensor digitorum communi does not form a distinct pit; (4) the attachment scar for the proximal head of pronator superficialis is small and deep; (5) the epicondylus ventralis forms a moderate, rounded peak; (8) the palmar attachment scar of the m. extensor metacarpi radialis is small, circular and shallow in all species except Polyboroides typus, where it is circular, rather than broad, robust and elevated, as in the fossil; (13) the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale is more flattened, not elevated cranially; (14) the interior margin of the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale is oriented at a lower angle across the shaft; (15) the insertion scars of the distal m. pronator superficialis and profundus are roughly the same depth in G. angolensis, while that of m. pronator profundus is shallower in P. typus and N. percnopterus; (16) the incisura intercondylaris is broad in N. percnopterus (as in the fossil) and narrow in P. typus; (17) the distal margin forms a deep narrow notch between the condyles; (19) the two parts of the sulcus m. humerotricipitalis are shallow in all taxa, with the dorsal sulcus roughly one third of shaft width in N. percnopterus and half the width in P. typus and G. angolensis. The sulcus for the ventral belly is a third to a quarter of the shaft width in all species.	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFD0B04AFF075198FF32F90E.taxon	description	The gypaetines share with the fossil the states of the following six tarsometatarsi characters: (1) the eminentia intercotylaris projects proximally as in the fossil in all species except Polyboroides typus, where it is hyper-protruding proximally; (2) a narrow sulcus hypotarsus; (3) the base of the sulcus hypotarsus is set plantar to the sulcus flexorius, though in Gypohierax angolensis it is to a lesser degree than in the fossil; (8) a deep fossa infracotylaris dorsalis; (21) the sulcus for the m. abductor digit IV being broad; (22) and the trochlea metatarsi II is slightly longer than trochlea metatarsi IV in Gypohierax angolensis and P. typus and is longer by at least half its length in Neophron percnopterus and Gypaetus barbatus. Tarsometatarsi of gypaetines differ from the fossil as follows: (5) the notch for the nervus peroneus forms a shallow yet distinct notch in all species except Gypaetus barbatus, where it is deep; (6) the fossa parahypotarsalis lateralis spans a quarter of the shaft length or less in all species except Neophron percnopterus, where it spans a third of shaft length; (9) the impressio ligamentum collateralis lateralis is indistinct in all species except P. typus; (10) the plantar facies of the hypotarsus crista lateralis is wider than it is long in all species except P. typus, where it is longer than wide; (13) the medial shaft margin is thin dorsal to the fossa parahypotarsalis medialis in all species except N. percnopterus, where it is thick as in the fossil; (14) the proximal end of the fossa parahypotarsalis medialis takes up at least a third of the shaft width in all species, and is deep in all species except G. barbatus, in which it is shallow; (15) the impressiones retinaculi extensorii are present as small ridges in P. typus and G. angolensis, and practically absent in G. barbatus and N. percnopterus; (16) the tuberositas m. tibialis cranialis is separated distally from the proximal foramina by a distance equivalent to its length; (17) the tuberositas is oval in G. barbatus and N. percnopterus, and an elongate narrow ridge in P. typus and G. angolensis; (20) the sulcus flexorius is shallow in all species except P. typus, in which it is deep; (22) the trochlea metatarsi III has greater distal extent than trochlea metatarsi II in all species except Gypohierax angolensis, in which trochlea metatarsi II is longer; (27) the trochlea metatarsi II is relatively broad; (28) and the trochlea metatarsi IV is relatively narrow.	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
DC3487FAFFD0B049FF075538F9D4F9BE.taxon	description	The fossil is very similar to aegypiine species (see Figure 4), and consistent with them in the following 13 characters: (2) a narrow sulcus hypotarsus; (3) the sulcus hypotarsus is set plantar to the sulcus flexorius, though in species of Gyps and in Aegypius monachus to a lesser degree than in the fossil; (5) the notch for the nervus peroneus is very shallow in proximal view in all species, except those in Gyps and in Sarcogyps calvus (shallow but distinct notch); (6) the fossa parahypotarsalis lateralis extends over a third of the shaft length in all species except Aegypius monachus, in which it is barely present; (8) the fossa infracotylaris dorsalis is deepened proximally in all species except those in Gyps and Necrosyrtes monachus, in which it is shallow; (13) the medial shaft margin is thin dorsal to the fossa parahypotarsalis medialis; (15) the impressiones retinaculi extensorii are extremely flattened or absent; (16) the tuberositas m. tibialis cranialis directly abuts the foramina in all species except Trigonoceps occipitalis and S. calvus (separated by one tuberositas length); (21) the sulcus for m. abductor digit IV is broad; (22) the distal extent of trochlea metatarsi II is slightly longer than or roughly equal to that of trochlea metatarsi III in all species, except those in Gyps, Aegypius monachus and Necrosyrtes monachus, in which trochlea metatarsi III has slightly greater extent than trochlea metatarsi II; (24) the plantar flange of trochlea metatarsi II is short; (25) the plantar flange of trochlea metatarsi IV is short; (27) and trochlea metatarsi II is relatively narrow. While, as shown, the lectotype and other fossils attributed to Cryptogyps lacertosus are broadly similar to those of aegypiines, they can be distinguished from those of all aegypiine genera as follows (aegypiine state in brackets). The humerus has a more prominently projecting tuberculum supracondylare dorsale (tuberculum supracondylare dorsale non-projecting), moderate cranial projection of the tuberculum supracondylare ventrale (flattened or reduced cranial projection), a shallow, large attachment scar for the proximal head of pronator superficialis (small scar), and the epicondylus ventralis is highly distinct from the tuberculum supracondylaris ventralis. The tarsometatarsus has a prominent eminentia intercotylaris (flattened or barely projecting), medial and lateral cotylae of roughly equal depth (medial shallower), a deepened notch for the nervus peroneus (shallow or no notch), a broad and deep fossa parahypotarsalis lateralis (shallow), a deep sulcus extensorius (shallow), a deep sulcus flexorius (shallow), a shallow fovea lig. collateralis (deep in all species except Gyps coprotheres), and the length of trochlea metatarsi II being slightly greater relative to trochlea metatarsi IV (significantly longer than trochlea metatarsi IV). The fossil can further be distinguished from individual genera by the following characters: From species of Torgos, Trigonoceps, Sarcogyps, and Necrosyrtes by a deeper fossa m. brachialis (shallow); from species of Torgos, Sarcogyps, Aegypius and Gyps by lacking a prominent, visible m. extensor metacarpi ulnaris origin (distinct); from Torgos, Trigonoceps, Sarcogyps, Aegypius and Gyps by the condylus ventralis being continuous with the entepicondyle (not continuous); from Torgos, Trigonoceps, Sarcogyps, Aegypius and Necrosyrtes by the trochlea metatarsi IV being relatively broad (narrow); from Trigonoceps, Sarcogyps, Aegypius and Gyps by the impressio ligamentum collateralis lateralis being prominent laterally (flattened); from Torgos, Trigonoceps, and Sarcogyps by the lateral crista hypotarsus being longer than wide (wider than long) and the tarsometatarsus being overall short and robust in length (comparatively long and elongate, narrows between proximal and distal ends); from Necrosyrtes, Gyps and Aegypius by a deep fossa infracotylaris (shallow fossa); from Torgos and Necrosyrtes by the convexity between the supracondylaris dorsalis and epicondylus dorsalis being relatively flattened (forms prominent peak); from Torgos and Aegypius by the flange of trochlea metatarsi II being extremely short (short but notably projecting medioplantarly from the trochlea); from Torgos and Trigonoceps by the crista medianoplantaris ending adjacent to the foramina vascularia proximalia (ending proximal to the foramina), and the foramen vasculare distale being set close to the incisura intertrochlearis lateralis (positioned well proximal to the incisura); from Trigonoceps and Sarcogyps by the position of the tuberositas m. tibialis cranialis being adjacent to the foramina proximalia (one tuberositas length distal) and the impressio ligamentum collateralis lateralis distinctly projecting dorsally (flat); from Necrosyrtes and Gyps by the length of trochlea metatarsi III being roughly equal with trochlea metatarsi II (trochlea metatarsi III longer than trochlea metatarsi II); from Aegypius by the broad and shallow notch distally between the condyles (deep and narrow).	en	Mather, Ellen K., Lee, Michael S. Y., Worthy, Trevor H. (2022): A new look at an old Australian raptor places “ Taphaetus ” lacertosus de Vis 1905 in the Old World vultures (Accipitridae: Aegypiinae). Zootaxa 5168 (1): 1-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.1.1
