Mantell's moa | |
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Tarsometatarsus of Pachyornis geranoides | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Superorder: | Paleognathae |
Order: | Struthioniformes |
Family: | Dinornithidae |
Genus: | Pachyornis |
Species: |
Pachyornis geranoides (Owen, 1848) |
Binomial name | |
Pachyornis geranoides (Owen, 1848) Worthy 2005 |
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Synonyms | |
List
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Mantell's moa (Pachyornis geranoides) also known as Mappin's moa is an extinct species of New Zealand birds of the family Moa. These moa lived in the North and the South Islands, and on Stewart Island. Its habitat was the lowlands (shrublands, grasslands, dunelands, and forests). It was a ratite and a member of the Struthioniform Order. The Struthioniformes are flightless birds, whose sternum lacks a keel and whose palate is distinctive. The origin of the Stout-legged Moa is becoming clearer as it is now believed that early ancestors of these birds were able to fly and flew to the southern areas where their remains have been recovered.