By C. J. De Mel, Jadetimes News
Remarkable Discovery
The skull of a prehistoric "giant goose" has been discovered in Australia, belonging to the extinct giant flightless bird Genyornis newtoni. Weighing approximately 230kg (36 stone), this bird was about five times heavier than an emu.
A Rare and Complete Find
The fossil, dating back 45,000 to 50,000 years, is the most complete skull of a Genyornis newtoni ever found. Researchers are excited about this "stunningly rare find," which promises new insights into the bird's appearance. Dr. Phoebe McInerney of Flinders University, Adelaide, and lead author of the study published in Historical Biology, expressed her excitement: "Realizing it was an intact skull was just so satisfying. I thought, 'Oh my gosh, this is amazing we actually found one'."
Discovery Details
The 32cm (1ft) skull, discovered in 2019 in the dry beds of Lake Callabonnam, South Australia, was attached to an almost complete fossilized body. The region, once a muddy trap for thousands of animals, has yielded this significant find. The only other known skull of this species, reported in 1913, was heavily damaged and provided limited information.
Anatomical Insights
The newly discovered skull reveals several distinctive features of Genyornis newtoni:
Massive cranium
Large upper and lower jaws
Unusual casque, resembling a helmet, on top of the head
Wide gape and strong bite capable of crushing soft plants and fruits
These features suggest the bird's diet and feeding habits, highlighting its role in its ecosystem.
Evolutionary Significance
Genyornis newtoni is related to the Australian magpie goose but evolved separately and is more closely related to the South American screamer species. Dr. McInerney noted the complexity of unraveling its evolutionary relationships, but this discovery has allowed researchers to piece together the lineage, identifying it simply as a "giant goose."
Ecological Context
These large, flightless birds, part of the mihirungs or thunderbirds native to Australia, coexisted with other giant creatures, such as lizards and kangaroos, around 50,000 years ago when the first humans arrived in Australia. The bird's unique size and appearance would have been a striking sight, as noted by Dr. McInerney.
Scientific Reconstruction
Jacob Blokland, who created a scientifically accurate reconstruction of the approximately 2m (6ft) bird, commented, “Using modern birds as comparatives, we can put flesh back on the fossils and bring them back to life.”
Adaptations and Extinction
Researchers also discovered that Genyornis newtoni had several adaptations for aquatic habitats, such as features protecting their ears and throat from water. These adaptations might have contributed to their extinction around 45,000 years ago as freshwater bodies in northern South Australia turned into salt lakes.
Importance of the Find
Dr. Gerald Mayr, an ornithologist at the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt, emphasized the rarity of fossil bird skulls and the significance of this extraordinary find. It offers valuable insights into the ecological role of this giant bird within the prehistoric Australian environment.