Relict Or Colonizer? Extinction And Range Expansion Of Penguins In The Southern New Zealand

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 21 Nov 2008 - 1:00 PST

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A startling discovery may change the way we view extinctions. While conducting research on New Zealand's iconic yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) a team of ancient DNA and palaeontology experts identified a previously unknown penguin species that became extinct before 1500 AD.

The new species, the Waitaha Penguin, identified from prehistoric bones was closely related to the yellow-eyed penguin.

Its extinction, combined with Maori cultural shifts and changes in predator populations, allowed the yellow-eyed penguin to colonise New Zealand around 1500-1800AD.

The research highlights how the biological world can respond quickly and dynamically to human impacts and how fundamental research can have unexpected outcomes.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences