Paleontologists were able to come across an incredible skull fossil discovery that could shed light on an enigmatic and massive goose-like bird species.
The researchers were able to find a fossil skull that was nearly complete. It belonged to the flightless Genyornis newtoni species, which ended up going extinct roughly 45,000 years ago.
Mysterious Species Discovered More Than a Century Ago
The discovery was documented in the "Skull morphology of the enigmatic Genyornis Newtoni Stirling and Zeitz, 1896 (Aves, Dromornithidae), with implications for functional morphology, ecology, and evolution in the context of Galloanserae" study.
The mysterious goose-like species was first described back in 1896. However, even though the species has been known for over a century, the species' only skull that was recorded prior to this most recent study was documented in 1913.
This skull was quite damaged, with just a little of the original bone staying. The remains that stayed preserved covered some broken fragments that appeared to suffer from a great pressure distortion that laterally affected them. This was to the extent that anything that neared a satisfactory reconstruction was impossible.
Because of this, paleontologists were not able to gather much data pertaining to the skull's structure and shape. This affected the researchers' understanding of the behavior, appearance, and evolutionary relationships of the species.
Regardless of the heavy damage to the skull, its original description became the basis of all the reconstructions done on the species. This has fostered misconceptions regarding what it could have looked like.
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Multiple Skull Elements Found
Now, after over one hundred years, researchers were finally able to find several skull elements of the species. This revealed the species' true appearance while offering crucial data about it.
The fossils were uncovered during various expeditions on the dry beds of Lake Callabonna done by Flinders University Paleontology Lab.
Phoebe McInerney, a researcher from Flinders and the study's lead author, said that they knew that there was minimal information regarding the species' skull. They also knew that there was great potential for knowing more about the species if they were just able to examine one.
McInerney shared that it is just now, 128 years since the species discovery, that they are able to shed light on its actual appearance.
The study was mainly based on a key skull that was nearly complete, having all of its small bones joined.
McInerney noted that the specimen was amazing. However, due to its articulation, they were unable to see each small bone's sides. Hence, they made use of the other few skull bones that were separately found to get a more comprehensive look at the species' skull.
The discovery revealed that the species' skull had a huge braincase, large lower and upper jaws, and an odd casque over its head. Its upper beak particularly had a shocking shape that differentiated it from its closest relatives.
McInerney noted that the species had a mobile and tall upper jaw that is similar to a parrot but shaped like a goose. It also had strong bite force, a wide gape, and the capacity to crush fruit and soft plants on its mouth's roof.
Some of the skull aspects are similar to some birds that belong to the waterfowl group, such as the Australian magpie goose and the South American screamers. This suggests that the species shared a close evolutionary link.
The study shows that Dromornithidae, which is the bird family that the giga-goose species falls under, should be reclassified again as a waterfowl type, which is the bird order that covers swans, geese, and ducks.
The researchers were also able to create a scientifically accurate species reconstruction. This was based on the fossil findings and comparisons with other birds that are modern.
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