Previous finds from prehistoric penguins indicated they did not sport the iconic black and white
feathers the birds are known for today, but had
reddish-brown and gray plumage. Photo: Natural
Sciences Museum of La
Plata.
BUENOS AIRES (AFP).- 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
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 body mass," said researcher Carolina
"This is the largest penguin known to date in terms of height and body mass," said researcher Carolina
Acosta, who noted that the record
had been held by emperor penguins, 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
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
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 penguins indicated they did not sport the iconic black and white
Previous finds from prehistoric penguins indicated they did not sport the iconic black and white
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