Systematics, morphology, and ecological history of the Mascarene starlings (Aves: Sturnidae) with the description of a new genus and species from Mauritius Author Hume, Julian Pender text Zootaxa 2014 3849 1 1 75 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.3849.1.1 2488e246-5d90-46c0-87e3-89ba0e707c60 1175-5326 286831 C8C3BF08-F382-4016-95AA-D0F5FCE58B54 Genus Necropsar Günther & Newton 1879 Necropsar Günther & Newton, 1879 (ex Slater MS) 168: 427, type species Necropsar rodericanus . Testudophaga Hachisuka, 1937 , p. 212, type species T. bicolor Hachisuka (= Necropsar rodericanus ) Rodriguites (Cowles) in Strahm, 1989b , p. 39. nomen nudum , type species R. microcarina (Cowles) nomen nudum . Etymology. Greek nekros , dead and psar , starling, in reference to the starling being known only from fossils. Revised diagnosis. Necropsar is distinguished from other Mascarene sturnids by the following characters: Cranium : comparatively dorso-ventrally compressed; frontal wide; crista nuchalis transversus oval-shaped with distinct protruding prominentia cerebellaris; foramen n. optici large, larger than fonticuli orbitocraniales, which is divided into two in one specimen. Rostrum : long and comparatively wide, with a large oval nasal opening; dorsal os nasale wide; os premaxillare robust and comparatively straight. Mandible : rostrum mandibulae wide and sharp; processus mandibulae medialis small; single small fenestra rostralis mandibulae; rostrum mandibulae deeply excavated; in lateral view, proximal ends comparatively deep and robust; processus retroarticularis robust, extended and directed medially. Coracoid : small and comparatively gracile. Sternum : processus craniolateralis long and blade-like and deflected laterally; spina externa broadly bifurcated; apex carinae extremely reduced with little extension anterior to pila carinae; carinae sterni shallow; fenestra medialis reduced. Humerus : gracile; shaft curved; tuberculum ventrale small; two tricipital fossae; tricipital fossa II not completely enclosed and separated from tricipital fossa I by medial bar; tricipital fossa I open distally communicating with tricipital fossa II; processus supracondylaris dorsalis reduced, with little proximal extension; crista deltopectoralis reduced, shallow in dorsal view. Ulna : small and comparatively gracile. Carpometacarpus : small; pronounced processus extensorius; no extension of os metacarpale minus distal to os metacarpale majus. Femur : large and robust, particularly at proximal and distal ends; shaft straight with proximal and distal expansion; sulcus intercondylaris deeply excavated; facies articularis acetabularis comparatively large; in caudal aspect, sulcus patellaris shallow proximal to condyles. Tibiotarsus : large and robust; shaft broad and expanded, particularly proximal to distal end; tuberculum retinaculi m. fibularis distinct; sulcus extensorius deeply excavated; pons supratendineus large; crista cnemialis cranialis broad and expanded; impressio ligamenti collateralis medialis deep emphasising a ridge distal to crista cnemialis cranialis. Tarsometatarsus : long and robust; shaft comparatively straight; trochleae expanded; impressio retinaculi extensorii generally without bridge, but present in one specimen (NHMUK A1475); crista medialis hypotarsi large and square-shaped; foramen vasculare distale deeply excavated; distinct ridge along facies dorsalis; fossa metatarsi I extends further proximad, with indistinct medial ridge; in ventral view, trochlea metatarsi III wide and indistinctly larger than trochlea metatarsi II; fossa parahypotarsalis medialis not situated in distinct groove.