Mullerornis


Mullerornis modestus is an extinct species of elephant bird, and the only member of the genus Mullerornis.

Taxonomy

The genus is named after Georges Muller, a French explorer, who was killed in 1892 by hostile members of the Sakalava people.

Synonyms of ''Mullerornis modestus''

  • Mullerornis betsilei Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894
  • Mullerornis agilis Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894
  • Mullerornis rudis Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894
  • ?Mullerornis grandis Lamberton 1934

    Description

Mullerornis is smaller than the more well-known Aepyornis, with a still substantial body mass of approximately. A bone possibly belonging to Mullerornis has been radiocarbon dated to about 1260 BP, suggesting that the animal was still extant at the end of the first millennium. Aepyornis modestus was shown by Hansford and Turvey to be a senior synonym of all nominal Mullerornis species described by Milne-Edwards and Grandidier, resulting in the new combination Mullerornis modestus.

Palaeobiology

Nocturnality

Like other elephant birds and its kiwi relatives, Mullerornis probably was nocturnal based on the small size of its optic lobes, though it shows less optical lobe reduction than these other taxa, implying slightly more crepuscular habits.

Diet

Isotopic evidence suggests that Mullerornis was likely a browsing herbivore.

Reproduction

The eggs of Mullerornis are substantially smaller than those of Aepyornis, weighting approximately, with a shell thickness of about.