How old are the fossils identified as *Pica praepica* from New Zealand?
Answer
19 million years ago
The direct ancestral line of the magpie genus *Pica* is firmly traced through the fossil species named *Pica praepica*, recovered in Aotearoa New Zealand. Scientific analysis confirms that these fossils date to approximately 19 million years ago, placing them squarely in the Miocene epoch. This date is critical as it solidifies the appearance of a clear, recognizable ancestor specific to the modern magpie genus deep within the fossil record, providing a benchmark for the evolutionary split of this group from the broader Corvidae family.
Related Questions
What species is the oldest known fossil belonging to the magpie family Corvidae?Where were fossils of *Archaeocorvus meadewaldenis* (AMRI) unearthed?How old are the fossils identified as *Pica praepica* from New Zealand?To which geological epoch does the 25-million-year-old *Archaeocorvus meadewaldenis* date?What is the genus classification for modern magpies like the Eurasian Magpie?What is the approximate age difference between the earliest *family* and *genus* ancestors?Which region yielded fossils clearly identifying the direct ancestral line of the *Pica* genus?What enduring characteristic allowed the lineage of modern magpies to persist across vast timescales?What cognitive trait's foundations were likely established in *Pica praepica* 19 million years ago?What specific field mark helps differentiate modern North American *Pica* species like Black-billed and Yellow-billed?