Chelychelynechen
Taxonomy
The generic name Chelychelynechen comes from the Greek chelys (“turtle”), chelyne (“lip” or “jaw”), with chen (“goose”), referring to the distinctly turtle-like appearance and structure of the beak. The specific epithet is from the Latin quassus (“broken” or “shattered”), alluding to the fragmentary condition of the type material. It is monotypic in the genus Chelychelynechen.
Description
Apart from the head, the bird was similar to other moa-nalo species, with robust legs and reduced, non-functional wings. The main distinguishing feature was the remarkable beak which had a rostrum almost as high as it was long, with a broad palatal surface, and with nostrils oriented almost vertically rather than horizontally. The structure of this feeding apparatus appears convergent on that of tortoises and indicates adaptation to a diet of plants.
References
- ^ Olson, Storrs L.; James, Helen F. (1991). "Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part I. Non-Passeriformes" (PDF). Ornithological Monographs. 45 (45): 32–35. doi:10.2307/40166794. JSTOR 40166794.
- ^ "Hawaiian Cave Reveals Ancient Secrets". David A. Burney and Lida Pigott Burney. Live Science. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2010.