A new species of large auk from the Pliocene of Belgium
A new species of large auk from the Pliocene of Belgium
A new species of fossil auk, Alca stewarti from the Kattendijk Sands Formation (early Pliocene) of Belgium is described. Preserved elements of this new species include humeri and ulnae, all of which are longer than those of the largest auk currently known, the recently extinct Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis). The relative proportions and structure of these wing elements, together with our estimates of body mass and wing loading suggest that this new species was capable of flapping flight. We consider the biomechanical implications for a large flighted auk, and speculate on the lifestyle and appearance of this new species. We also estimate the likely flight speed and flapping frequency of Alca stewarti.
53-60
Martin, J.W.R.
85381d64-0878-40df-8063-e372c472c61d
Walker, C.A.
01c179e0-3ed5-4415-84b3-8382e8c49485
Bonser, R.
859cecca-2cdf-4288-b558-3471f6ad51d7
Dyke, Gareth J.
600ca61e-b40b-4c86-b8ae-13be4e331e94
2000
Martin, J.W.R.
85381d64-0878-40df-8063-e372c472c61d
Walker, C.A.
01c179e0-3ed5-4415-84b3-8382e8c49485
Bonser, R.
859cecca-2cdf-4288-b558-3471f6ad51d7
Dyke, Gareth J.
600ca61e-b40b-4c86-b8ae-13be4e331e94
Martin, J.W.R., Walker, C.A., Bonser, R. and Dyke, Gareth J.
(2000)
A new species of large auk from the Pliocene of Belgium.
Oryctos, 3, .
Abstract
A new species of fossil auk, Alca stewarti from the Kattendijk Sands Formation (early Pliocene) of Belgium is described. Preserved elements of this new species include humeri and ulnae, all of which are longer than those of the largest auk currently known, the recently extinct Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis). The relative proportions and structure of these wing elements, together with our estimates of body mass and wing loading suggest that this new species was capable of flapping flight. We consider the biomechanical implications for a large flighted auk, and speculate on the lifestyle and appearance of this new species. We also estimate the likely flight speed and flapping frequency of Alca stewarti.
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Published date: 2000
Organisations:
Ocean Biochemistry & Ecosystems
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 205319
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/205319
ISSN: 1290-4805
PURE UUID: 861d358b-bb77-491f-99d4-45c54d57807a
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 08 Dec 2011 14:55
Last modified: 08 Jan 2022 05:39
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Contributors
Author:
J.W.R. Martin
Author:
C.A. Walker
Author:
R. Bonser
Author:
Gareth J. Dyke
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