| Pakudyptes | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Sphenisciformes |
| Genus: | † Pakudyptes Ando et al., 2024 |
| Species: | †P. hakataramea |
| Binomial name | |
| †Pakudyptes hakataramea Ando et al., 2024 | |
Pakudyptes (meaning "small diver") is a genus of extinct penguins from the late Oligocene Otekaike Limestone of New Zealand. The genus contains a single species, P. hakataramea, known from three fragmentary limb bones.
The Pakudyptes fossil material was discovered in 1987 in the Hakataramea Quarry, representing sediments of the Otekaike Limestone, in the Hakataramea Valley of South Canterbury, New Zealand. The holotype specimen, OU 21977, consists of most of a left humerus. The top half of a left ulna (OU 21976) and a partial right femur (OU 21966)—both likely belonging to the same individual of the holotype—were also referred to the genus. [1]
Following the discovery of the fossil material, it was first mentioned in the scientific literature in 1990 as the "Hakataramea bird". Later researchers in 1991 and 2004 considered it possible that the material actually belonged to the small extinct South American genus Eretiscus . However, subsequent examination of the fossil material reported in a 2007 dissertation established that the remains were indeed distinct from this genus. [1]
In 2024, Ando et al. described Pakudyptes hakataramea as a new genus and species of extinct penguin based on these fossil remains. The generic name, Pakudyptes, combines the Māori word "paku", meaning "small", with the Greek word "dyptes"—a common suffix for penguin generic names—meaning "diver". The specific name, hakataramea, references the type locality in the Hakataramea Valley. [1] The word itself is derived from the Māori phrases " ha-ka ", referring to a dance, and "ta-ra-me-a", meaning "with speargrass". [2] [3]
Based on the preserved fossil material, Pakudyptes is classified as a tiny penguin. It was likely similar in size to the extant little blue penguin, which is 40–45 centimetres (16–18 in) long and 30–35 centimetres (12–14 in) tall when standing. [1]
In their phylogenetic analyses, Ando et al. (2024) recovered Pakudyptes as a late-diverging penguin closely related to crown-group spenisciforms. Their results are displayed in the cladogram of penguin evolutionary relationships below: [1]
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Korora oliveri, also referred to as Oliver's penguin, is a genus and species of extinct penguin from the Waitakian Stage of New Zealand. It was relatively small and slender, similar in size to one of the larger crested penguins. The penguin was described by Brian Marples in 1952 from fossil material he collected in the Hakataramea Valley, in the Canterbury region of the South Island. The genus name Korora is the Māori term for the extant little penguin. The specific epithet honours Walter Oliver (1883–1957) a former director of the Dominion Museum.
Prosqualodon is an extinct genus of Early to Middle Miocene cetacean from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and Venezuela.
Palaeeudyptes antarcticus, also referred to as the narrow-flippered penguin, is the type species of the extinct penguin genus Palaeeudyptes. It was a huge species, albeit probably with a large size variation. Although the size range can only be loosely estimated, the birds seem to have stood between 43 and 55 inches high in life, placing this species and its congener Palaeeudyptes marplesi among the largest penguin species known. It was the last known Palaeeudyptes species, and although the exact time when it lived is not precisely determined, it may have evolved from P. marplesi, or they might even have been a single species which slightly decreased in size over time.
Mammalodon is an extinct genus of archaic baleen whale belonging to the family Mammalodontidae.
Icadyptes is an extinct genus of giant penguins from the Late Eocene tropics of South America.
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Kairuku is an extinct genus of penguin. It contains three species, K. grebneffi, K. waitaki and K. waewaeroa. This taxon is known from bones from 27 MYA, from the Kokoamu Greensand Formation of New Zealand. It was historically referred to as Palaeeudyptes.
The Kokoamu Greensand is a geological formation found in New Zealand. It is a fossil-bearing, late Oligocene, greensand rock unit of the eastern South Island, especially the Waitaki District of North Otago and the southern Canterbury region. The formation was named by geologist Maxwell Gage in the 1950s. In North Otago it underlies the thicker and harder Otekaike Limestone. The formation gets its green colour from the mineral glauconite which forms slowly on the ocean floor.
Duntroonornis parvus, also referred to as the Duntroon penguin, is a genus and species of extinct penguin from the Late Oligocene of New Zealand. The penguin was relatively small, similar in size to the Fiordland crested penguin. It was described by Brian Marples in 1952 from fossil material collected near Duntroon, from the Kokoamu Greensand Formation, near the border between the Canterbury and Otago regions of the South Island. Fossils found at the Hakataramea Valley may also be referrable to this species. The genus name Duntroonornis means "Duntroon bird". The specific epithet is the Latin parvus ("small").
Otekaikea is an extinct genus of toothed whale closely related to Waipatia. It is known from the late Oligocene (Chattian) of New Zealand.
Tohoraata is a genus of eomysticetid baleen whale from the Late Oligocene (Chattian) of New Zealand. There are two recognized species, T. raekohao and T. waitakiensis.
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Tangaroasaurus is an extinct genus of squalodontid whale from the Miocene of New Zealand. It contains a single species, Tangaroasaurus kakanuiensis. Similar to Basilosaurus and its close relative Squalodon, it was originally thought to be a species of marine reptile. Parts of the Holotype are presumably lost. Its name comes from Tangaroa, the Māori god of the sea, while the suffix -saurus comes from the Latin word for reptile, the group that Tangaroasaurus was originally placed in.
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Nihohae is an extinct genus of waipatiid dolphin that was native to the waters surrounding New Zealand during the Oligocene. It possessed long, tusk-like teeth unlike those of any extant cetacean, which were likely used like the “saw” of a sawfish to stun and injure prey. The genus contains a single species, N. matakoi, known from a partial skull and skeleton.
Nihoroa is an extinct genus of waipatiid odontocete cetacean from the glauconitic Otekaike Limestone in North Otago; New Zealand. The type species is N. reimaea, known from only the holotype which comprises various skull elements.
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