Kingdom Animalia Superorder Paleognathae Family Emeidae Scientific name Euryapteryx curtus Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Dinornithiformes Genus Euryapteryx Higher classification Euryapteryx | |
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Similar Moa, Bird, Eastern moa, Bush moa, Pachyornis | ||
The broad-billed, stout-legged moa or coastal moa (Euryapteryx curtus) is an extinct species of moa. These moa lived in both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand, and on Stewart Island. Its habitat was in the lowlands (dunelands, forests, shrublands, and grasslands). It was a ratite and a member of the Struthioniformes Order. The Struthioniformes are flightless birds with a sternum without a keel. They also have a distinctive palate. The origin of these birds is becoming clearer as it is now believed that early ancestors of these birds were able to fly and flew to the southern areas that they have been found in.
Taxonomy
A 2009 genetic study showed that Euryapteryx curtus and Euryapteryx gravis were synonyms. A 2010 study explained size differences among them as sexual dimorphism. A 2012 morphological study interpreted them as subspecies instead.
The cladogram below follows a 2009 analysis by Bunce et al.: