Artist reconstructions of Kumimanu fordycei and Petradyptes stonehousei.
(Photo:Simone Giovanardi)
Penguins are fascinating creatures.
They come in a variety of sizes, live in diverse habitats, and are undeniably adorable.
Artist reconstructions of Kumimanu fordycei and Petradyptes stonehousei. (Photo:Simone Giovanardi)
The penguin species of the past were no less interesting.
fordyceifossil among a flock of fivePetradyptes stonehousei, another new species.
Flipper size allowed for the estimation of the birds' sizes.
Skeletons of Kumimanu fordycei, Petradyptes stonehousei, and a modern emperor penguin. (Photo:Simone Giovanardi)
K. fordyceis massive size came at an interesting time in penguin evolution.
Around 60 million years ago, penguins lost their ability to fly.
Their body mass kept them warm in cold seas, while it also made them relatively impervious to predators.
The asteroid impact, which caused the excitation of the dinosaurs, also killed off many marine predators.
Size conveys many advantages, first author of the paper, Dr. Daniel Ksepka, said in astatement.
Hopefully future fossil discoveries will shed more light on the biology of this amazing early penguin.
Skeletons of Kumimanu fordycei, Petradyptes stonehousei, and a modern emperor penguin.
