An African origin for the adzebills

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A new study analyzing recovered DNA from bone and eggshell fragments of both the North Island adzebill (Aptornis otidiformis) and the South Island adzebill (Aptornis defossor) has determined that the closest modern relative of these 19 kilogram predatory birds is the Madagascan flufftail (Sarothrura insularis), a bird that can weigh as little as 25 grams. It is theorized that the ancestors of the adzebills likely flew from Madagascar to New Zealand sometime between 40 and 22 million years ago, possibly through Antarctica, overturning the previous theory of their ancestors already being on New Zealand while it was still a part of Gondwana 52 million years ago and showcasing an even closer connection between Africa and New Zealand. Upon reaching the island, the adzebill ancestors increased more than 50-fold in mass and developed reduced wings and larger beaks to aid in their ground-based predatory lifestyle. It is believed that the adzebills then split into two species when the Manawatu Strait split New Zealand into the North and South Islands between 1 and 2 million years ago. Here is a reconstruction of a North Island adzebill and a drawing of a Madagascan flufftail for reference and a link to the paper published about the new study.




Paper (abstract only): https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/11/2/24

[Ravonium]

Thanks for sharing this. Reminds me of how the ancestors of kiwis flew from Australia, except for the fact that this is an even more impressive migration for the birds to undertake 

[Halichoeres]

I propose that the clade composed of flufftails and adzebills is defined by the synapomorphy of "Having a delightful common name."

[Ravonium]

I propose that the clade composed of flufftails and adzebills is defined by the synapomorphy of "Having a delightful common name."

Yeah, if you look at the more obscure groups of Gruiformes, I think you'll find that there are quite few 'delightful common names' (for example, there's such names as 'trumpeter', 'limpkin', and 'sungrebe', which itself is a type of 'finfoot' (not necessarily a delightful name, but it's at least fun to say))

[Halichoeres]

Um, excuse me, but "finfoot" is 100% a delightful name.

[Ravonium]

Um, excuse me, but "finfoot" is 100% a delightful name.

I guess I stand corrected then