Hemignathus vorpalis
| Hemignathus vorpalis | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Hemignathus vorpalis | ||||||||||||
| Olson & James , 2003 |
Hemignathus vorpalis is an extinct species of bird from the subfamily of the honeycreeper . It is only known through the subfossil type material that was discovered in 1993 in the Petrel Cave (a lava tunnel at 1,200 m altitude) on the island of Hawaii and described in 2003. Hemignathus vorpalis died out about 3000 to 1500 years ago.
features
The holotype is an incomplete skeleton from the substantial part of an upper jaw bone , of the mandibular symphysis with the intervening parts of the left and right ramus, a skull fragment , the proximal end and the shank of the left humerus , the distal end and a portion of the the left shaft of the ulna , the left tibiotarsus , which lacks the distal end, the right tibiotarsus, which lacks both the distal end and most of the tibial crest, the left tarsometatarsus with an abraded proximal end, and the proximal half of the right tarsometatarsus with an abraded proximal end. The beak of Hemignathus vorpalis connects a long saber-shaped upper bill with a much shorter lower bill . Although Hemignathus vorpalis shares the beak shape with the other members of the genus Hemignathus , this species differs in terms of beak morphology and the larger body. Due to the postcranial dimensions, it can be assumed that Hemignatus vorpalis was one of the largest known honeysuckle. The saber-shaped beak is believed to be an adaptation for drilling into cracks or crevices to prey on invertebrates. Hemignathus vorpalis probably had a more ground-dwelling way of life and used its beak in a similar manner as the kiwis or the Wekarallen do today .
etymology
The name "vorpalis" is derived from the adjective vorpal used by Lewis Carroll in his poem Jabberwocky . In the line of text "He took his vorpal sword in hand ... The vorpal blade went snicker-snack", the words sword and blade are modified. This is a nod to the long, saber-shaped upper beak of this species.
literature
- Storrs L. Olson & Helen F. James: A Giant New Species of Nukupuu (Fringillidae: Drepanidini: Hemignathus) from the Island of Hawaii. In: The Auk. No. 120 (4th quarter 2003): pp. 970-981.