Ketendus

Ketendus is a genus of extinct birds that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossil evidence suggests these birds were closely related to modern waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. The most well-known species, Ketendus patagonicus, was discovered in Argentina.

The fossils of Ketendus indicate a bird of moderate size, with adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Its skeletal structure suggests it possessed webbed feet, which would have aided in swimming and diving. While direct evidence of its diet is scarce, its beak morphology, though not fully preserved in all specimens, hints at a diet consisting of aquatic invertebrates or vegetation.

The discovery of Ketendus in South America is significant because it provides insights into the distribution and evolution of early avian lineages on the Gondwanan supercontinent. Its existence alongside other Cretaceous birds, like enantiornithes and early neornithes, helps paleontologists reconstruct the complex avian ecosystem of that era. The limited fossil record for Ketendus means much about its specific behaviors and ecological role remains speculative, but it stands as an important piece in understanding the diversity of birds before the K-Pg extinction event. Further discoveries could reveal more about its evolutionary relationships and the broader patterns of bird evolution during the Mesozoic.