Argentine experts find giant penguin fossils in Antarctica

Previous finds from prehistoric penguins indicate they had reddish-brown and gray plumage
A colony of King penguins in Antarctica. Argentine experts have discovered fossils of a two-meter (6.5 foot) tall penguin that lived in Antarctica 34 million years ago.

Argentine experts have discovered the fossils of a two-meter (6.5 foot) tall penguin that lived in Antarctica 34 million years ago.

Paleontologists with the Natural Sciences Museum of La Plata province, where the capital Buenos Aires is located, said the remains were found on the icy southern continent.

"This is the largest penguin known to date in terms of height and ," said researcher Carolina Acosta, who noted that the record had been held by , which reach heights of 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall.

Lead researcher Marcelo Reguero added that the find, announced Tuesday, will "allow for a more intensive and complex study of the ancestors of modern penguins."

In its next expedition to Antarctica, during the region's summer, the team will seek additional fossils of the newly discovered species, as well as information about its anatomy and how the giant penguin might have moved.

Previous finds from prehistoric indicated they did not sport the iconic black and white feathers the birds are known for today, but had reddish-brown and gray plumage.

(c) 2012 AFP

Citation: Argentine experts find giant penguin fossils in Antarctica (2012, November 21) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2012-11-argentine-experts-giant-penguin-fossils.html
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