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Open AccessJournal Article

Penguin past: The current state of knowledge

Piotr Jadwiszczak
- 01 Jan 2009 - 
- Vol. 30, Iss: 1, pp 3-28
TLDR
What the authors currently know about extinct penguins is summarized and indirectly suggests the most promising areas for further research.
Abstract
Penguins (Aves: Sphenisciformes) hold much interest for many people, includ− ing (but not limited to) scientists. According to results of molecular studies, penguin his− tory began in the Cretaceous, but the oldest bones assigned to these birds are Paleocene in age. The first fossil representative of Sphenisciformes formally described was Palae− eudyptes antarcticus, and this event took place 150 years ago. Since that time, several dozens of species have been erected, though not all of them have stood a test of time. The 21st century entered new dynamics into the paleontology of penguins, and (importantly) it concerned both the new material, and new theories. This paper summarizes what we currently know about extinct penguins and indirectly suggests the most promising areas for further research. Key wor ds: Southern Hemisphere, Aves, Sphenisciformes, evolution, fossil record.

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Citations
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New fossil penguins (Aves, Sphenisciformes) from the Oligocene of New Zealand reveal the skeletal plan of stem penguins

TL;DR: New materials described here, along with re-study of previously described specimens, resolve several long-standing phylogenetic, biogeographic, and taxonomic issues stemming from the inadequate comparative material of several of the first-named fossil penguin species.
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Vicars, tramps and assembly of the New Zealand avifauna: a review of molecular phylogenetic evidence

TL;DR: The New Zealand avifauna is neither isolated nor stable, but demonstrative of prolonged and ongoing colonization, speciation and extinction.
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Multiple cenozoic invasions of Africa by penguins (Aves, Sphenisciformes)

TL;DR: Phylogenetic analyses and biogeographic reconstructions incorporating new fossil material indicate that, contrary to previous hypotheses, the four Early Pliocene African penguin species do not represent an endemic radiation or direct ancestors of the living Spheniscus demersus (blackfooted penguin).
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First articulated skeleton of Palaeeudyptes gunnari from the late Eocene of Isla Marambio (Seymour Island), Antarctica

TL;DR: The first articulated skeleton of a penguin from the late Eocene of Antarctica is described in this article, which is the first known skeleton with sure specific assignment to Palaeeudyptes gunnari.
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Aspects of diversity in early Antarctic penguins

TL;DR: It is suggested that Antarctic species of Anthropornis and Palaeeudyptes, so-called giant penguins, may in fact comprise only one species each instead of two, based on evidence of well-marked sexual dimorphism.
References
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