Moa's Ark: Miocene fossils reveal the great antiquity of moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes) in Zealandia
Date
2010
Authors
Tennyson, Alan J. D.
Worthy, Trevor Henry
Jones, Craig M.
Scofield, Richard Paul
Hand, Suzanne J.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Conference paper
Citation
Proceedings of the VII International Meeting of the Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution, 2010 / W.E. Boles and T.H. Worthy (eds.): pp.105-114
Statement of Responsibility
Alan J.D. Tennyson, Trevor H. Worthy, Craig M. Jones, R. Paul Scofield and Suzanne J. Hand
Conference Name
International Meeting of the Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution (7th : 2008 : Sydney, N.S.W.)
Abstract
Fossil eggshell and bone fragments from New Zealand's Miocene St Bathans Fauna indicate that two taxa of giant flightless moa (one weighing 20–25 kg and another much larger than this) were present in Zealandia 19–16 Ma. Contrary to recent suggestions, we conclude that moa have a long history in Zealandia, almost certainly extending to before the Oligocene "drowning". This conclusion is consistent with biotic evidence from other sources, which indicates a great antiquity of several Zealandian animals and plants.
School/Discipline
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Also published as a journal article: Records of the Australian Museum, 2010; 62(1):105–114
Access Status
Rights
© The Authors, 2010.