Interrelationships of the T hreskiornithidae and the phylogenetic position of the M iocene ibis ‘ P legadis ’ paganus from the S aint‐ G érand‐le‐ P uy area in central F rance

The fossil ibis P legadis paganus is known from the E arly M iocene of the S aint‐ G érand‐le‐ P uy area, F rance. It was first described in the 19th century by Milne‐Edwards (1867–1868), who noticed similarities with members of the extant genera E udocimus and P legadis , a view endorsed by subsequent descriptions. The fossil's present placement within the genus P legadis is not supported by synapomorphic features, and important differences with members of this genus have been noted in the past. The present analysis demonstrates that retention of P .  paganus in the extant genus P legadis is no longer justified, and it is therefore referred to the new genus G erandibis . A phylogenetic analysis of 55 osteological characters supports placement of G erandibis pagana in a clade together with Neotropical taxa. This analysis also allowed for an evaluation of the relationships among extant threskiornithids. Contrary to results obtained in molecular‐based phylogenies, the present analysis supports a basal divergence of crown group Threskiornithidae into a clade comprising T hreskiornis and P latalea and a clade comprising all other ibises. Within the latter, two clades, one made up of O ld W orld taxa and the other consisting predominantly of N ew W orld taxa, were recovered.