Tettéren

Tettéren is a genus of extinct toothed birds that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossils of tettéren have been found in North America. These birds are characterized by their elongated, tooth-filled jaws, which were likely used for catching fish and other small aquatic prey. Tettéren was a relatively small bird, with an estimated wingspan of about one meter.

The exact evolutionary relationships of tettéren are still debated among paleontologists. However, it is generally considered to be a member of the Enantiornithes, a diverse group of toothed birds that were widespread during the Mesozoic Era. Enantiornithes are distinguished by their unique shoulder girdle, which is different from that of modern birds. Tettéren fossils exhibit many of the typical enantiornithean features, including a pygostyle, which is a fused set of tail vertebrae.

The discovery of tettéren provides valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of birds during the Cretaceous period. Its specialized adaptations for aquatic hunting suggest that it occupied a specific ecological niche. Further research on tettéren and other fossil birds continues to shed light on the transition from dinosaurs to modern avian forms and the complex ecosystems of the Mesozoic world.