Turtle-jawed moa-nalo
| Turtle-jawed moa-nalo Temporal range:
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|---|---|
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| Reconstruction of species’ appearance by Julian P. Hume | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | †Chelychelynechen James, 1991[1]
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| Species: | †C. quassus
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| Binomial name | |
| †Chelychelynechen quassus Olson & James 1991
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The turtle-jawed moa-nalo (Chelychelynechen quassus), also formerly referred to as the large Kauai goose, is a species of
subfossil material collected in 1976 by Storrs Olson from the calcareous Makawehi dunes on the south-eastern coast of the island of Kauai.[1] Its remains have also been found at the nearby Makauwahi Cave site.[2]
Taxonomy
The generic name Chelychelynechen comes from the Greek chelys (“turtle”), chelyne (“lip” or “jaw”), with chen (“goose”), referring to the distinctly turtle-like appearance and structure of the beak. The specific epithet is from the Latin quassus (“broken” or “shattered”), alluding to the fragmentary condition of the type material.[1] It is monotypic in the genus Chelychelynechen.
Description
Apart from the head, the bird was similar to other moa-nalo species, with robust legs and reduced, non-functional wings. The main distinguishing feature was the remarkable beak which had a
palatal surface, and with nostrils oriented almost vertically rather than horizontally. The structure of this feeding apparatus appears convergent on that of tortoises and indicates adaptation to a diet of plants.[1]
References
- ^ JSTOR 40166794.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Hawaiian Cave Reveals Ancient Secrets". David A. Burney and Lida Pigott Burney. Live Science. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2010.