Scientists Find New Penguin, Extinct for 500 Years

AnthemZ · 11-19-2008, 03:17 PM

Scientists Find New Penguin, Extinct for 500 Years

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

AP

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Researchers studying a rare and endangered species of penguin have uncovered a previously unknown species that disappeared about 500 years ago.

The research suggests that the first humans in New Zealand hunted the newly found Waitaha penguin to extinction by 1500, about 250 years after their arrival on the islands. But the loss of the Waitaha allowed another kind of penguin to thrive — the yellow-eyed species that now also faces extinction, Philip Seddon of Otago University, a co-author of the study, said Wednesday.

The team was testing DNA from the bones of prehistoric modern yellow-eyed penguins for genetic changes associated with human settlement when it found some bones that were older — and had different DNA.

Tests on the older bones "lead us to describe a new penguin species that became extinct only a few hundred years ago," the team reported in a paper in the biological research journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Polynesian settlers came to New Zealand around 1250 and are known to have hunted species such as the large, flightless moa bird to extinction.

Seddon said dating techniques used on bones pulled from old Maori trash pits revealed a gap in time between the disappearance of the Waitaha and the arrival of the yellow-eyed penguin.

The gap indicates the extinction of the older bird created the opportunity for the newer to colonize New Zealand's main islands around 500 years ago, said Sanne Boessenkool, an Otago University doctoral student who led the team of researchers, including some from Australia's Adelaide University and New Zealand's Canterbury Museum.

Competition between the two penguin species may have previously prevented the yellow-eyed penguin from expanding north, the researchers noted.

David Penny of New Zealand's Massey University, who was not involved in the research, said the Waitaha was an example of another native species that was unable to adapt to a human presence.

"In addition, it is vitally important to know how species, such as the yellow-eyed penguin, are able to respond to new opportunities," he said. "It is becoming apparent that some species can respond to things like climate change, and others cannot. The more we know, the more we can help."

The yellow-eyed penguin is considered one of the world's rarest. An estimated population of 7,000 in New Zealand is the focus of an extensive conservation effort.

**Harpoon** · 11-19-2008, 03:25 PM

I thought Bush had killed the last one..

AnthemZ · 11-19-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpoon

I thought Bush had killed the last one..

You said it!...I didn't!

They would have found it sooner, if only Bush had signed the Kyoto Protocol!

lost in melb. · 11-19-2008, 06:00 PM

Good story,

**Nemowork** · 11-19-2008, 07:15 PM

Takes a bit out of the fun of the story though, new penguin found, thats high in the AWWWW! factor but you'll never see it because theyre all dead.

way to traumatize Gemlou if she ever turns up again

**Harpoon** · 11-19-2008, 07:17 PM

**Nemowork** · 11-19-2008, 07:20 PM

Gemlou./justagirl/krazy

slightly deprssed, car mad and an obsession with penguins and panda's

Ex · 11-20-2008, 02:52 PM

slightly?

**Nemowork** · 11-20-2008, 04:36 PM

frequently?

AnthemZ · 11-20-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemowork

frequently?

I thought she was your babe?? Don't you live near her?

**Nemowork** · 11-20-2008, 05:46 PM

I thought she was one of them shandy drinking southerners?

Kurgan · 11-20-2008, 09:07 PM

Nah, she was from Derby i think. Dont care knew her i think.

**Harpoon** · 11-20-2008, 09:10 PM

Did he have sex with her

**Meursault** · 11-21-2008, 11:49 AM

probably not, but her little one does stem from a not-so-long-term-relationship. So maybe he's not online anymore because he can't afford alimony and ISP fees.

AnthemZ · 11-21-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurgan

Nah, she was from Derby i think. Dont care knew her i think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meursault

probably not, but her little one does stem from a not-so-long-term-relationship. So maybe he's not online anymore because he can't afford alimony and ISP fees.

No shit!

I haven't seen that guy in a while! And he's a Trashy too! Maybe it's time for Ex to start retiring people that don't show up anymore!

11-19-2008, 03:17 PM	#1
AnthemZ Waiting For My Handout! Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,335 Thanks: 7 Thanked 34 Times in 20 Posts	Scientists Find New Penguin, Extinct for 500 Years Scientists Find New Penguin, Extinct for 500 Years Wednesday, November 19, 2008 AP WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Researchers studying a rare and endangered species of penguin have uncovered a previously unknown species that disappeared about 500 years ago. The research suggests that the first humans in New Zealand hunted the newly found Waitaha penguin to extinction by 1500, about 250 years after their arrival on the islands. But the loss of the Waitaha allowed another kind of penguin to thrive — the yellow-eyed species that now also faces extinction, Philip Seddon of Otago University, a co-author of the study, said Wednesday. The team was testing DNA from the bones of prehistoric modern yellow-eyed penguins for genetic changes associated with human settlement when it found some bones that were older — and had different DNA. Tests on the older bones "lead us to describe a new penguin species that became extinct only a few hundred years ago," the team reported in a paper in the biological research journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Polynesian settlers came to New Zealand around 1250 and are known to have hunted species such as the large, flightless moa bird to extinction. Seddon said dating techniques used on bones pulled from old Maori trash pits revealed a gap in time between the disappearance of the Waitaha and the arrival of the yellow-eyed penguin. The gap indicates the extinction of the older bird created the opportunity for the newer to colonize New Zealand's main islands around 500 years ago, said Sanne Boessenkool, an Otago University doctoral student who led the team of researchers, including some from Australia's Adelaide University and New Zealand's Canterbury Museum. Competition between the two penguin species may have previously prevented the yellow-eyed penguin from expanding north, the researchers noted. David Penny of New Zealand's Massey University, who was not involved in the research, said the Waitaha was an example of another native species that was unable to adapt to a human presence. "In addition, it is vitally important to know how species, such as the yellow-eyed penguin, are able to respond to new opportunities," he said. "It is becoming apparent that some species can respond to things like climate change, and others cannot. The more we know, the more we can help." The yellow-eyed penguin is considered one of the world's rarest. An estimated population of 7,000 in New Zealand is the focus of an extensive conservation effort. __________________ Sig by Teabelly!

11-19-2008, 03:25 PM	#2
Harpoon Sailing the seas of Cheese Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Down by the river Posts: 36,466 Thanks: 46 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I thought Bush had killed the last one.. __________________ .

11-19-2008, 06:00 PM	#4
lost in melb. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Way Down Under Posts: 2,771 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Good story, __________________

11-19-2008, 07:15 PM	#5
Nemowork Klompendance? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mobilis in Mobilii Posts: 25,310 Thanks: 6 Thanked 16 Times in 7 Posts	Takes a bit out of the fun of the story though, new penguin found, thats high in the AWWWW! factor but you'll never see it because theyre all dead. way to traumatize Gemlou if she ever turns up again __________________ “A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.” Moliere "You do the unseemly behavior, I'll handle the moderation" - Nemo

11-19-2008, 07:17 PM	#6
Harpoon Sailing the seas of Cheese Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Down by the river Posts: 36,466 Thanks: 46 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	who? __________________ .

11-19-2008, 07:20 PM	#7
Nemowork Klompendance? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mobilis in Mobilii Posts: 25,310 Thanks: 6 Thanked 16 Times in 7 Posts	Gemlou./justagirl/krazy slightly deprssed, car mad and an obsession with penguins and panda's __________________ “A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.” Moliere "You do the unseemly behavior, I'll handle the moderation" - Nemo

11-20-2008, 02:52 PM	#8
Ex Happily Married Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 10,054 Thanks: 19 Thanked 13 Times in 3 Posts	slightly? __________________ sig courtesy of teabelly

11-20-2008, 04:36 PM	#9
Nemowork Klompendance? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mobilis in Mobilii Posts: 25,310 Thanks: 6 Thanked 16 Times in 7 Posts	frequently? __________________ “A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.” Moliere "You do the unseemly behavior, I'll handle the moderation" - Nemo

11-20-2008, 05:46 PM	#11
Nemowork Klompendance? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mobilis in Mobilii Posts: 25,310 Thanks: 6 Thanked 16 Times in 7 Posts	I thought she was one of them shandy drinking southerners? __________________ “A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.” Moliere "You do the unseemly behavior, I'll handle the moderation" - Nemo

11-20-2008, 09:07 PM	#12
Kurgan Meatspinning Trash Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: UK Posts: 8,026 Thanks: 84 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Nah, she was from Derby i think. Dont care knew her i think. __________________ Awesome sig care of Fricnjay

11-20-2008, 09:10 PM	#13
Harpoon Sailing the seas of Cheese Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Down by the river Posts: 36,466 Thanks: 46 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Did he have sex with her __________________ .

11-21-2008, 11:49 AM	#14
Meursault Le Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Old Europe Posts: 38,949 Thanks: 141 Thanked 90 Times in 36 Posts	probably not, but her little one does stem from a not-so-long-term-relationship. So maybe he's not online anymore because he can't afford alimony and ISP fees. __________________ sick sig courtesy of teabelly!

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