Consumed scrubfowl
| Consumed scrubfowl | |
|---|---|
| Fossil | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Megapodiidae |
| Genus: | Megapodius |
| Species: | †M. alimentum |
| Binomial name | |
| Megapodius alimentum Steadman, 1989 | |
The consumed scrubfowl (Megapodius alimentum) is an extinct megapode that was native to Fiji and Tonga in the south-west Pacific Ocean. It was originally described from subfossil remains collected by David Steadman from an archaeological site on the island of Lifuka in the Haʻapai group of the Kingdom of Tonga. The specific epithet and vernacular name refer to its evident use as a food item.[1] Subsequently remains were also found on Lakeba and Mago in the Lau group of Fiji by Trevor Worthy. It is likely that it became extinct through overhunting following human settlement of the islands.[2]
References
- ↑ Steadman, D.W. (1989). "New species and records of birds (Aves: Megapodiidae, Columbidae) from an archaeological site on Lifuka, Tonga". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington (102): 537–552.
- ↑ Worthy, Trevor H. (2000). "The fossil megapodes (Aves: Megapodiidae) of Fiji with descriptions of a new genus and two new species.". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 30 (4): 337–364. doi:10.1080/03014223.2000.9517627.
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