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Thambetochen

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This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 9 October 2023. Extinct genus of ducks

Thambetochen
Temporal range: Holocene
Rostrum and sternum of T. xanion
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Thambetochen
Olson & Wetmore, 1976
Species
  • T. chauliodous Olson & Wetmore, 1976
  • T. xanion Olson & James, 1991

Thambetochen is an extinct genus of moa-nalo duck. It contains two species, the Maui Nui moa-nalo (T. chauliodous) and the smaller O'ahu moa-nalo (T. xanion).

Restoration of T. xanion
Restoration of T. chauliodous and Ptaiochen pau

The former was found on Maui and Molokai on Hawaii, the latter was found on Oahu. These birds were large, flightless ducks, with robust legs but small wings, which had evolved in isolation, on islands without terrestrial mammals. Their beaks had tooth-like lamellae and their diet was plants which they digested through hindgut fermentation. These birds were likely driven to extinction when the islands were colonised by Polynesians.

References

  1. ^ Hume, J. P.; Walters, M. (2012). Extinct Birds. A & C Black. ISBN 978-1408157251.
Genera of waterfowl and their extinct allies
Avemetatarsalia
Theropoda
Maniraptora
Anserimorphae
    • see below↓
Anserimorphae
Anserimorphae
Presbyornithidae
Anachronornithidae
Anseriformes
sensu stricto
Anhimae
Anhimidae
Anseres
Anseranatoidea
Anseranatidae
Anatoidea
Paranyrocidae
Anatidae
    • See below ↓
Presbyornis pervetus
Anatidae
Anatidae
Romainvillinae
Dendrocygninae
Dendrocheninae
Stictonettinae
Anserinae
Tadorninae
Anatinae
Oxyurini
Mergini
Anatini
Aythyini
Chelychelynechen quassus
Taxon identifiers
Thambetochen
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