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| A study has been performed in which more than 700 ''Genyornis'' ] fragments were dated.<ref>{{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= |pmid=9880249 }}</ref> Through this, it was determined that ''Genyornis'' declined and became extinct over a short period—too short for it to be plausibly explained by ]. The authors considered this to be a very good indication that the entire ] event in Australia was due to human activity, rather than climate change. | A study has been performed in which more than 700 ''Genyornis'' ] fragments were dated.<ref>{{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= |pmid=9880249 }}</ref> Through this, it was determined that ''Genyornis'' declined and became extinct over a short period—too short for it to be plausibly explained by ]. The authors considered this to be a very good indication that the entire ] event in Australia was due to human activity, rather than climate change. | ||
| In May 2010, archaeologists announced the rediscovery of an Aboriginal rock art painting, possibly 40,000 years old, at the ] ] site in the ], that depicts two of the birds in detail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/31/2913350.htm |title=Megafauna cave painting could be 40,000 years old |publisher=www.abc.net.au |date=2010-05-31 |accessdate=2010-05-31}}</ref> | In May 2010, archaeologists announced the rediscovery of an Aboriginal rock art painting, possibly 40,000 years old, at the ] ] site in the ], that depicts two of the birds in detail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/31/2913350.htm |title=Megafauna cave painting could be 40,000 years old |publisher=www.abc.net.au |date=2010-05-31 |accessdate=2010-05-31}}; Gunn, R. C. ''et al''. "What bird is that?" ''Australian Archaeology'' '''73'''(2011):1-12.</ref> Late survival of ''Genyornis'' in temperate south west Victoria has also recently been suggested, based on dateable Aboriginal traditons. <ref> ] (2011) ''Beyond the Frontier: Explorations in Ethnohistory'', Canberra: Batavia Online Publishing. pp.52-69 ISBN 978-0-9872141-4-0</ref> | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 07:18, 3 April 2012
| Genyornis Temporal range: Late Pleistocene | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | †Dromornithidae |
| Genus: | †Genyornis |
| Species: | †G. newtoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Genyornis newtoni 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 of 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 in which more than 700 Genyornis eggshell fragments were dated. Through this, it was determined that Genyornis declined and became extinct over a short period—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.
In May 2010, archaeologists announced the rediscovery of an Aboriginal rock art painting, possibly 40,000 years old, at the Nawarla Gabarnmung rock art site in the Northern Territory, that depicts two of the birds in detail. Late survival of Genyornis in temperate south west Victoria has also recently been suggested, based on dateable Aboriginal traditons.
See also
References
- Miller, Gifford H. (1999). "Pleistocene Extinction of Genyornis newtoni: Human Impact on Australian Megafauna". Science. 283 (5399): 205–208. doi:10.1126/science.283.5399.205. PMID 9880249.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - "Megafauna cave painting could be 40,000 years old". www.abc.net.au. 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2010-05-31.; Gunn, R. C. et al. "What bird is that?" Australian Archaeology 73(2011):1-12.
- Rupert Gerritsen (2011) Beyond the Frontier: Explorations in Ethnohistory, Canberra: Batavia Online Publishing. pp.52-69 ISBN 978-0-9872141-4-0