Ilbandornis

Ilbandornis Temporal range: Late Miocene
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Superorder:	Galloanserae
Family:	†Dromornithidae
Genus:	†Ilbandornis Rich, 1979
Type species
†Ilbandornis woodburnei Rich, 1979
Other species
†I.? lawsoni Rich, 1979

Ilbandornis was a genus of ostrich-sized dromornithid. It was far more lightly built than other members of the family, indicating a more cursorial lifestyle. The majority of researchers consider Dromornithids to be herbivorous; this is borne out by molecular analysis of the gastroliths and eggshells of both Ilbandornis and the related Genyornis.^{[citation needed]} While Ilbandornis and Genyornis have skulls of similar size to emus, other Dromornithids such as Dromornis have far more robust skulls with large beaks; these were previously considered an adaptation for carnivory, but their blunt edges and lack of hooked tip indicate that the species were herbivorous. It is therefore likely that the differences in skull shape are due to differences in diet.^{[citation needed]}

Two species named by Patricia Vickers-Rich in 1979 were included in the genus: the type species Ilbandornis woodburnei and the referred species Ilbandornis lawsoni, both of which are known from the Alcoota Fossil Beds in the Northern Territory, from Waite Formation sediments dating to the Late Miocene.^[1] The local fauna at the alcoota site includes another dromornithid species, the gigantic Dromornis stirtoni.^[2] However, some researchers argue that the inclusion of both species within the genus is problematic, since I. lawsoni is either considered a species of Genyornis or synonymous with I. woodburnei.^[3][4]

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