Review of the Cretaceous avian diversity of Antarctica: a changing scenario for the evolution of early Neornithine birds

Abstract

The worldwide record of Cretaceous Neornithes and Neornithine-like birds is both controversial and poorly understood. However, in recent years, the Antarctic continent has yielded a substantial number of Maastrichtian avian specimens, contributing significantly to our understanding of the early evolution of this group. Simultaneously, the keen interest and<br />collaborative efforts of various paleornithologists have resulted in a wealth of knowledge, which we have thoroughly reviewed, updated, and discussed in the context of recent discoveries.