Kairuku waewaeroa

Kairuku waewaeroa; Temporal range: 34.6–27.3 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Sphenisciformes
Genus:	†Kairuku
Species:	†K. waewaeroa
Binomial name
	†Kairuku waewaeroa; , Ksepka & Thomas, 2021

Kairuku waewaeroa or Kawhia giant penguin is a fossil species of giant penguin (Sphenisciformes) whose Oligocene fossil remains have been found in Kawhia Harbour on the North Island of New Zealand.^[1]^[2]

Description[]

The skeleton of the holotype is one of the most complete skeletons of giant penguins that have ever been found. Phylogenetic analysis reveals a clade that unites^{[clarification needed]} New Zealand endemics Kairuku waewaeroa, Kairuku waitaki and Kairuku grebneffi. The probable height of K. waewaeroa is 1.38 m (4.5 ft), and the length of the body from the fingertips to the tip of the beak is 1.6 m (5.2 ft).^[1]^[3]

Distribution[]

The fossils were found within the Glen Massey formation (34.6–27.3 Ma) in the North Island of New Zealand.^[1]

Etymology[]

From Māori waewae - "legs", roa - "long", referring to the elongated hind limbs.^[1]

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Giovanardi, Simone; Ksepka, Daniel T.; Thomas, Daniel B. (2021-09-16). "A giant Oligocene fossil penguin from the North Island of New Zealand". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: e1953047. doi:10.1080/02724634.2021.1953047. Archived from the original on 2021-10-10.
^ Wetzel, Corryn (2021-09-17). "New Zealand Kids Discovered This Fossil of New Giant Penguin Species on a Field Trip". Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
^ "A mega-penguin stood tall on prodigious limbs". Nature. 597. 2021-09-21. doi:10.1038/d41586-021-02562-y.

External links[]

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[Giovanardi-1] Giovanardi, Simone; Ksepka, Daniel T.; Thomas, Daniel B. (2021-09-16). "A giant Oligocene fossil penguin from the North Island of New Zealand". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: e1953047. doi:10.1080/02724634.2021.1953047. Archived from the original on 2021-10-10.

[2] Wetzel, Corryn (2021-09-17). "New Zealand Kids Discovered This Fossil of New Giant Penguin Species on a Field Trip". Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2021-09-19.

[3] "A mega-penguin stood tall on prodigious limbs". Nature. 597. 2021-09-21. doi:10.1038/d41586-021-02562-y.

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