A group of paleontologists Fossilized remains of the oldest known extinct penguin. In an article published in the journal Journal of PaleontologyThe researchers describe where and how the fossils were found and how this species adapted to modern little penguins.
This Two fossilized skulls were found by the team in the South Taranaki region of New Zealand’s North Island., in the Tangahoe formation. The remains proved that both belonged to the same ancient species and were the first of their kind ever found.
new species named after Wilson’s little penguin (Eudyptula wilsonae)In honor of ornithologist Kerry-Jayne Wilson, a conservationist and seabird researcher and co-founder of an NGO working to protect coastal habitats on New Zealand’s west coast.
One of the skulls belongs to an adult specimen and the other to a cub. Both were in good enough condition to allow comparison with modern little penguins (kororā), the smallest existing species.
they were small
The research team admits it’s hard to say how large these ancient species might have been, but they estimate by comparing them to their modern relatives: They were probably around 35 centimeters tall and weighed just under a kilogram.
Several species of little penguins live in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania today. However, little research has been done to trace its lineage. Then, It is not known for certain whether the newly found species is the direct ancestor of these penguins.. But given their similarities, the research team suspects they probably are.
They also point out that this finding is testament to the extraordinary ability of birds to adapt to a changing world without having to undergo major transformations: the environment around them has changed drastically over the years, pointing to the team. Moreover, modern little penguins now occupy a much larger area than any other species in this animal group.
they point to it newly discovered species existed until about 3 million years ago and disintegrated during the Pleistocene; The find also confirms that little penguins lived during the Neogene period. The research team suggests that their findings show a Zealand origin for the little penguins in general.
The situation turns out to be New Zealand is also home to some of the largest penguin species to walk on Earth.some are human sized.
Earlier this year, two new species of giant ancient penguins were discovered. The biggest, kumimanu fordyceiHe surpassed the previous giant with 154 kilograms, Kumimanu biceaeIt is estimated to be around 100 kilos.
Reference work, at this link. DOI: 10.1017/jpa.2023.30
…….
Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]