A Large Goshawk (Aves, Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) from the Lower Pleistocene of Crimea, and Dimorphism in the Foot Structure in Astur gentilis
Journal: Палеонтологический журнал / Paleontological Journal
Year: 2025

A new species of goshawks, Astur cimmerius sp. nov., is described based on two complete tarsometatars and two pedal phalanges from the Lower Pleistocene (1.8–1.6 million years ago) of Taurida Cave in Crimea. This is one of the three oldest goshawk finds in the global fossil record and the oldest for the Early Pleistocene of Eurasia, supporting the hypothesis of an African origin for this phylogenetic lineage. Astur cimmerius is considered a likely ancestor of modern A. meyerianus, A. gentilis, a