Pachyornis
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Prehistoric
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Heavy-footed Moa, Pachyornis elephantopus (type) |
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The genus Pachyornis is an extinct genus of ratites from New Zealand which belonged to the moa family. They are the largest genus of moa, containing 3-5 species, and are part of the Anomalopteryginae or Lesser Moa subfamily. Pachyornis moa were the stoutest and most heavy-legged species of the family.The most notable species being Pachyornis elephantopus - the Heavy-Footed Moa. They were generally similar to the Eastern Moa or the Broad-billed moa of the genus Euryapteryx, but differed in having a pointed bill and being more heavyset in general. At least one species (P. australis) is assumed to have had a crest of long feathers on its head. The species became rapidly extinct following human colonization of New Zealand, with the possible exception of P. australis, which may have already been extinct by then.
Two new genetic lineages, which may eventually be described as new species, are now known to have existed, one each from New Zealand's North and South Island (Baker et al., 2005).
[edit] References
- Baker, Allan J.; Huynen, Leon J.; Haddrath, Oliver; Millar, Craig D. & Lambert, David M. (2005): Reconstructing the tempo and mode of evolution in an extinct clade of birds with ancient DNA: The giant moas of New Zealand. PNAS 102(23): 8257-8262. DOI:10.1073/pnas.0409435102 PDF fulltext Supporting Information
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- Lydekker, Richard (1891): [Genus Pachyornis]. Catalogue of the Fossil Birds in the British Museum (Natural History): 316. ISBN 0-543-95778-0 (paperback, 2001 facsimile reprint)
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