Eudyptes atatu is an extinct species of crested penguin that lived during the Pliocene epoch around 3.2 million years ago. It is considered the first stem species of the crested penguin genus.[1] Eudyptes atatu is thought to have inhabited what is now New Zealand. The bird's existence has been cited as evidence supporting the idea that penguins originated in Zealandia before spreading across the Southern Hempishere.[2]
| †Eudyptes atatu Temporal range: Pliocene
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Sphenisciformes |
| Family: | Spheniscidae |
| Genus: | Eudyptes |
| Species: | †E. atatu
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| Binomial name | |
| †Eudyptes atatu Thomas et al, 2020
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Etymology edit
The generic term Eudyptes derives from Ancient Greek, and translates to "fine diver" in English. The species name atatu is a contraction between the words "ata" and "tū" from the Te Reo Maori language, meaning "dawn". "Dawn" refers to the species' place within the fossil record, representing the beginning of the crested penguin lineage in New Zealand.[3]
Description edit
Eudyptes atatu was close in size to the modern erect-crested penguin, which measures at around 60 cm long.[4] As with other crested penguins, sexual dimorphism is fairly prominent.[1]
The main property that distinguishes Eudyptes atatu from modern crested penguins is its comparatively slender mandible. Deep mandibles, as seen in modern Eudyptes, are thought to be an adaptation facilitating easier predation of krill and other small planktonic organisms. The lack of this feature in Eudyptes atatu suggests it had a different diet than its extant descendants.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b Thomas, Daniel; Tennyson, Alan; Scofield, R. Paul; Heath, Tracy; Pett, Walker; Ksepka, Daniel (12 August 2020). "Ancient crested penguin constrains timing of recruitment into seabird hotspot". Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 287 (1932). PMID 32781949. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Natali (18 August 2020). "Ancient Crested Penguin Unearthed in New Zealand". Sci News. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Shaw, Mike (18 September 2020). "Newly-described fossils reveal an ancient origin for New Zealand penguins". Phys.org. Massey University. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "Eudyptes sclateri". IUCN Red List. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Ksepka, Daniel. "A New Fossil Crested Penguin". Fossil Penguins. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
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