New Discovery of Ancient Fossils Is Missing Piece in Penguin Evolution

Scientists in New Zealand have uncovered a new species of tiny penguin from the Late Oligocene period, dating back around 24 million years! Published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand on August 1, 2024, the discovery of Pakudyptes hakataramea offers a missing link to understanding penguin evolution.

An Ancient Discovery in New Zealand

Although fossils of this pint-sized penguin were initially found in the 1980s on the south island of New Zealand, they puzzled scientists until recently. Scientists revealed that these bones, recently re-analyzed, belong to a brand-new species. These researchers published their findings in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, announcing the discovery of a tiny penguin from the Late Oligocene period which is shedding light on how penguins’ wings evolved over millions of years!

About the Bones

In 1987, three penguin bones were found in Hakataramea Quarry, South Canterbury, by the late Ewan Fordyce. However, in a recent study, a team of scientists from the University of Otago in New Zealand and Japan’s Ashoro Museum of Paleontology, Okayama University of Science, and Osaka University used CT scans to create a 3D model of these bones and compared them with those of living penguins. This helped the team identify the bones as belonging to a new species, Pakudyptes hakataramea. 

Meet Pakudyptes Hakatarmaea

Pakudyptes hakataramea is a pint-sized penguin that’s as small as today’s little blue penguin! Standing about 11.8 to 13.8 inches tall, this tiny bird was found in what’s now South Island, New Zealand, around 24 million years ago. Pakudyptes hakataramea plays a huge role in our understanding of penguin evolution. 

What Makes Pakudyptes Special?

So, what’s the big deal about Pakudyptes? Not only is this ancient penguin one of the smallest penguins ever discovered, but its anatomy has given scientists crucial insight into the evolution of penguin wings. Pakudyptes hakataramea’s fossils have provided scientists with a missing piece, exhibiting features of both ancient and modern penguins.

A Glimpse into Penguin Wing Evolution

The complete evolution of penguin wings is still a mystery, but Pakudyptes hakataramea offers a rare peek into this process! Its fossil shows a mix of old and new features: the elbow joint is like those of ancient penguins, while the shoulder joint is more like today’s species. This ancient penguin is the first to be discovered with this combination, revealing the gradual changes that led to the efficient swimming wings of today’s penguins.

Additionally, the fossil’s humerus and ulna reveal where muscles and ligaments were attached, giving us clues about how Pakudyptes used its wings for swimming!

Small Diver

The name Pakudyptes comes from “paku,” Māori for “small,” and “dyptes,” Greek for “diver.” This is because—you guessed it—Pakudyptes were great divers. Scientists know this by looking at the bone density of the fossils. Modern-day penguins’ bullet-like swimming and diving skills come from their thick, dense bones. By studying the bones, scientists found that the internal bone structure was also similar to today’s little blue penguins, featuring a thick outer layer and an open medullary cavity. This tells us that, like blue penguins, this ancient penguin was excellent at diving in shallow water.

Why Size Matters

In the penguin world, Pakudyptes hakataramea was a pioneer among the smaller penguins! Most ancient penguins were about 3.3 feet tall, so studying Pakudyptes helps scientists understand how penguins evolved between the end of the Oligocene and the start of the Miocene epochs. Its small size allowed it to thrive in different environments, possibly setting the stage for the diverse range of shapes and sizes found among penguins today. 

A Window into the Past

Fossils like Pakudyptes hakataramea aren’t just ancient artifacts—they’re like time machines that give us an inside look into how species evolved over millions of years! By examining these fossils, scientists can uncover the story of how penguins changed from the Late Oligocene to the Early Miocene.

As Carolina Loch from the University of Otago puts it, “Penguins evolved rapidly from the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene, and Pakudyptes is an important fossil from this period. Its small size and unique combination of bones may have contributed to the ecological diversity of modern penguins.” 

The Continuing Journey of Discovery

The story of Pakudyptes hakataramea is a reminder that the journey of discovery is never over. As scientists continue to unearth fossils and study ancient species, we gain new insights into the history of life on Earth. Who knows what other secrets are waiting to be uncovered in the rocks of New Zealand? One thing’s for sure—every discovery brings us one step closer to understanding the incredible story of life on our planet.

Conclusion

In the end, Pakudyptes hakataramea is more than just a tiny penguin from the past; it’s a symbol of the rich evolutionary history that has shaped the world we live in today. From its small size to its unique wing structure, this little penguin has a lot to teach us about how life evolves and adapts to changing environments.