Genyornis

Taxobox
name = Genyornis
fossil_range = Late Pleistocene
status= EX
status_system=iucn3.1

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image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Anseriformes
familia = Dromornithidae
genus = "Genyornis"
species = "G. newtoni"
binomial = "Genyornis newtoni"
binomial_authority = Stirling & Zietz, 1896

"Genyornis" ("Genyornis newtoni") was a monotypic genus of large, flightless bird that lived in Australia until 50±5 thousand years ago. Many species became extinct in Australia around that time, coinciding with the arrival of humans.

It is not clear to what degree Dromornithidae were carnivores. The massive, crushing beaks at least of some species suggest that they were a combination of predators and scavengers, much like today's hyenas. Their closest living relatives are waterfowl.

A study has been performed where more than 700 Genyornis eggshell fragments were dated. [cite journal |last=Miller |first=Gifford H. |authorlink= |coauthors="et al." |year=1999 |month= |title=Pleistocene Extinction of "Genyornis newtoni": Human Impact on Australian Megafauna |journal=Science |volume=283 |issue=5399 |pages=205–208 |doi=10.1126/science.283.5399.205 |url= |accessdate= |quote= ] Through this, it was determined that "Genyornis" declined and became extinct over a short period of time—too short for it to be plausibly explained by climate change. The authors considered this to be a very good indication that the entire mass extinction event in Australia was due to human activity, rather than climate change.

ee also

*Australian megafauna
*Dromornithidae
*History of Australia

References

External links

* [http://www.lostkingdoms.com/facts/factsheet50.htm Genyornis factsheet at Australia's Lost Kingdoms]