Ann Hinga. Phone Call for Ann Hinga – #365papers – 2017 – 145

#365papers for May 25, 2017

Stidham, Patnaik, Krishan, ingh, Ghosh, Singla, and Kotla, 2017, The first darter (Aves: Anhingidae) fossils from India (late Pliocene): PlosONE, v12, e0177129

What’s it about?

There’s a family of birds called the Anhingidae, which includes anhingas and darters. This is a description of a new fossil darter from India.

Why does it matter?

The discovery and description of new species always helps us better understand the processes and timing of evolution. In this case, fossils also help us better understand the distribution of groups of organisms in the distant past.

Why did I read this?

Honestly, I saw “Anhingidae” in the title and wanted to read it. I was mostly lost the whole way through. You see there was this joke in this place I used to work about a scientist named Ann Hinga…