Biology:Scolopax anthonyi

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Short description: Extinct species of bird

Scolopax anthonyi
Temporal range: Late Quaternary
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Scolopax
Species:
S. anthonyi
Binomial name
Scolopax anthonyi
(Wetmore, 1920)
Synonyms

Gallinago anthonyi (Wetmore, 1920) Scolopax anthonyi (Olson, 1976)

Scolopax anthonyi is a prehistoric species of woodcock in the family Scolopacidae that was once endemic to the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.

Taxonomy

Its fossil remains were initially identified as belonging to a snipe of the genus Gallinago, but a re-analysis of the bones in 1976 indicated that they belonged to a woodcock. It has more osteological similarities to the Eurasian woodcock than the American woodcock, a trait it shares with the also extinct Scolopax brachycarpa of Hispaniola. Both of these species may have belonged to a distinct insular radiation in the Caribbean, which are now extinct.[1]

Description

Scolopax anthonyi had reduced wings compared to other species in the genus, indicating that it may have had a more terrestrial lifestyle or even may have been flightless. It likely lived in a forested habitat, like extant members of the genus. Little is known about the cause for its extinction.[2]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q60754746 entry