clade extinct birds called birds inhabited mauritius extinct hunting humans predation introduced non native mammals following human 17th century historically different groups named grouping recently considered birds classified subfamily person suggest close affinity opinions supported recent dna species found placed surprisingly primitive instead grouped closest relative closely related birds crowned tooth billed considered genus extinct common threshold extinction possible sightings late sighting description statistical analysis roberts found extinction killed later iucn uses extinction date probable date birds extinct consequence human hunting introduction mammals ate birds eggs classification clade order contains genera contains species birds reached impressive size result isolation islands free predators accordance foster rule history classification historically assigned genus junior synonym new species defunct genus named house new species species known time named subfamily species assigned group possible species today species known junior synonym classified identified synonymous named defined group including massive birds sister mauritius features grouping angle hook end created new family genus named family included synonym concluded related placed order sister family defunct group including proposed ground based studies skull rediscovered royal danish collection copenhagen view met ridicule later supported suggested common descent known specimen soft tissue comparing remains available stated identical birds shared distinguishing features leg bones features known separated distinct family long uncertain initially placed peculiar related relationship suggested molecular data agrees placement appropriate different historically suggested including small rail vulture phylogeny comparison mitochondrial sequences isolated supported close relationship placement family genetic evidence interpreted suggesting southeast asian closest living relative analyzed species followed crowned genus new_guinea like tooth billed genus little called following colleagues shows position dove family similar published placement including thick billed ground base clade based morphological evidence proposed placed subfamily agreement genetic evidence dna known specimen recently extinct spotted green analysed found close relative years placed family exact relationships unresolved placed family respectively thought evolved similar features independently molecular data led dissolution family placed subfamily family long considered extinct bird turned known divergence study indicated ancestors diverged boundary mauritius volcanic origin million years old ancestors birds probably remained capable flight considerable time separation lineage lack competing resources islands allowed attain large sizes dna obtained oxford specimen degraded usable dna extracted remains age groups divergence needs independently verified lost ability fly owing lack predators mauritius large giant described material fiji slightly smaller thought related crowned estimated group containing diverged genera like million years ago estimate appears highly unlikely estimated relatives species moved island million years ago land bridge banks mauritius formed description skeletal features distinguish closest relative attributed pelvic elements thicker support higher weight pectoral region small wings meaning retained juvenile features skull trunk pelvic limbs meaning changed considerably age shared traits features skull large size differed aspects robust shorter having larger skull rounded skull roof smaller neck legs shorter possess equivalent present complete specimens exist external appearance plumage hard determine illustrations written accounts encounters discovery extinction primary evidence external appearance according representations brownish plumage lighter primary feathers light feathers high rear end head grey naked green black yellow legs stout yellowish black claws remains remnants birds brought europe 17th century large birds metre feet tall possibly weighing kilograms higher weights attributed birds captivity weights wild estimated range later estimate gives average weight low questioned controversy suggested weight depended season individuals fat cool seasons hot bird sexually males larger longer centimetres length hooked point study remaining feathers oxford specimen head showed feathers similar slightly hooked neck legs long observer described size swan skull millimetres long flattened fore hind parts elevated bony ridges structured black band contemporary description described appeared head base plumage described grey brown females paler males light coloured elevations lower neck sexual size greatest group probably males considerably larger measuring length weighing smaller group probably females weighed weight larger individual weight varied substantially fat cycles meaning individuals fat cool seasons slim hot seasons low larger gender smaller male usually larger females direct evidence largest specimens actually males species assumed based early works male probably largest confirmed molecular techniques skeletal morphology behaviour little known behaviour contemporary descriptions brief based weight estimates suggested male reach age female studies strength leg bones indicate run fast unlike evidence wings combat bones found healed weak pectoral muscles reduced wings comparison instead large hooked territorial disputes mauritius received rain stable climate probably need male fight territory probably aggressive observations life indicate highly territorial presumably settled disputes striking wings aid purpose wing bones indicate combat suggested instead result hereditary bone disease battle injuries extant birds spurs present weapons exceptions bones found healed weak pectoral muscles reduced wings comparison receives rainfall seasonal variation mauritius affected availability resources island reason evolve aggressive territorial behaviour accounts state defended powerful bite extinction surviving species probably extinct survived extinct introduction feral cats heavy hunting human population extinct earlier causes extinction related involve introduction animals hunting extinction like animals evolved isolation significant predators entirely fearless humans inability fly easy prey sailors human population mauritius area km2 exceeded people 17th century introduced animals including dogs pigs cats rats crab eating plundered nests competed limited food resources time humans destroyed forest habitat impact introduced animals especially pigs population currently considered severe hunting rats caused problem dealing local land crabs latest definite sighting necessarily members species claimed sighting reported hunting records statistical analysis records roberts gives new estimated extinction date confidence interval authors pointed sighting probably rare disputed report escaped slave dismissed hand extinction iucn lists going extinct species probably extinct time exact date unknown disappearance coincided trade traders burnt vegetation hunted released cats pigs preyed eggs chicks attempted obtain live specimen assured survived remote areas island searching months offering large rewards find noted cats blamed species suspected hunting humans visited observe transit venus encountered assured survived
Raphinae