Search

We report the oldest fossil condor (Vulturidae) from South America and the first from the Pisco Formation (14.0-2.0 Ma) of Peru, described herein as Perugyps diazi new genus and species. The Pisco Formation, exposed on the southern coast of Peru, has produced well-preserved and abundant marine and terrestrial vertebrate fossils from the late Miocene/early Pliocene (6.0-4.5 Ma) Montemar and Sacaco Sur localities, from where P. diazi was recovered. The new condor adds to our knowledge on the evolution and biogeographic distribution of New World vultures. The age of this new species supports the hypothesis that condors probably evolved in North America and entered South America by the late Miocene/early Pliocene. We believe it is likely that the first condors to reach South America probably did so via a coastal corridor along the western side of the Andes where they became part of the diverse coastal fauna in southern Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]