Protoryx

Protoryx is an extinct genus of waterfowl belonging to the family Anatidae. Fossils assigned to Protoryx have been found in Miocene-aged deposits in Europe. This genus is considered to be among the more primitive members of the duck lineage, displaying anatomical features that suggest an evolutionary link between earlier, more generalized waterfowl and the ducks, geese, and swans of today.

The precise placement of Protoryx within Anatidae is still debated among paleontologists. Some researchers suggest it may represent a basal member of the true ducks (Anatinae), while others consider it a more generalized ancestral form that lies outside of the modern subfamilies. The available fossil record provides limited information regarding its size, coloration, and specific ecological niche, although it is believed to have inhabited freshwater environments and likely possessed a diet similar to that of modern ducks. Further fossil discoveries and analyses are needed to fully elucidate the evolutionary relationships and characteristics of Protoryx.