What happened to the ecological role of the massive, ground-based apex predator in South America after the terror birds' demise?
Answer
It was entirely taken over by mammals
The replacement of the terror birds in this niche was entirely mammalian; the ecosystem lacked a true avian equivalent of a massive, ground-based apex predator for a very long time.
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What Happened to the Prehistoric "Terror Bird"? | Nature Bites
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To which specific bird family did the terror birds formally belong?How tall could the largest terror bird species typically reach?What was the primary dietary implication suggested by the massive, hook-tipped beak of the terror birds?What characteristic allowed terror birds to efficiently cover ground in search of prey despite being flightless?What ecological niche did terror birds dominate in South America that was often occupied by large mammals elsewhere?What geological event led to the influx of mammalian carnivores into South America, challenging the terror birds?What environmental factor, occurring during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, stressed terror bird populations alongside mammalian competition?Which types of predators swiftly took over the top spots on the food chain after the largest phorusrhacids disappeared?Based on the fossil record, which terror bird species were generally the final survivors?What happened to the ecological role of the massive, ground-based apex predator in South America after the terror birds' demise?