Scientists have discovered the largest penguin fossil that ever lived. The bones found on New Zealand shores belonged to a giant bird more than three times the size of the largest penguin living today.
We often associate the distant past with giant animals, and for good reason. The age of the dinosaurs saw the largest animals ever seen on land, in the air, and possibly in the sea, and then gigantic versions of modern creatures such as sharks, otters, turtles and ostriches roamed the earth.
Now scientists have added another animal to the list. It’s a penguin.Fossil bones found at a beach in Otago, New Zealand’s South Island, turned out to belong to a previously unknown species, now named after it Kumimanu Fordykei. It lived 55-60 million years ago and was placed shortly after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
By creating digital models of the bones and comparing them to other fossils and living penguins and other semi-aquatic birds, the team was able to estimate the size of the ancient species. They estimated it weighed about 154 kg (340 lb). By comparison, the largest species, the emperor penguin, reaches about 45 kg (100 lbs).
that too K. Fordysay Much larger than related known extinct giant penguins Kumimanu Biseae, found in the same area and dated to about the same time. The latter’s weight he is estimated at just over 100 kg (220 lb).
But researchers haven’t officially estimated how tall the new species was. This is because different species of penguins have different proportions and postures, and we were not able to find enough bones to produce their calls.
Dr. Simone Giovanardi
The team also discovered and named another new species of penguin that went extinct around the same time. Petradiptes Stone HouseThis penguin weighed about 50 kg (110 lbs), slightly larger than today’s emperor penguins.
Fossil discoveries allow scientists to reconstruct the evolutionary history of penguins. Apparently, animals got very large very early in history, and the team says this may have allowed them to dive deeper than modern animals and help them stay warm in cold water. .
This research paleontology journal.
Source: University of Cambridge
