Rare fossil goose rewrites the story of New Zealand's giant birds
Researchers have identified a new species of ancient fossil goose, Meterchen luti, from the St Bathans fossil deposits in New Zealand. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the evolutionary history and diversity of New Zealand's avian life.
Why it matters
It provides critical new data for evolutionary biologists studying the complex origins and development of unique bird species in isolated ecosystems.
A rare fossil goose discovered in the remains of an ancient lake in Central Otago is changing scientists' understanding of how New Zealand's unique bird life evolved. According to researchers from the University of Otago -- Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, the find adds to growing evidence that the origins of Aotearoa's birds were far more dynamic than previously believed.
Associate Professor Nic Rawlence, Director of the Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, is a co author of the new study, which investigates the fossil and its evolutionary relationships.
The research, published in Historical Biology , was carried out by an international team from the University of Otago, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and the University of Cambridge (UK). The scientists examined fossil material recovered from the well known St Bathans fossil deposits.
Rawlence explained that although waterfowl fossils are abundant at St Bathans, goose remains are much less common.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in