An extinct penguin was found to be among the smallest of its kind to walk on earth, according to a recent study.
A report on Live Science said the recently discovered extinct species was similar to the living "little penguin," which only weighs around two pounds.
Scientists have unearthed the two fossilized skulls of one of the smallest penguin species, which is named as Wilson's little penguin (Eudyptula wilsonae), in the southern Taranaki region of the country's North Island.
According to studies, the said species waddled around New Zealand around three million years ago.
How does it look like?
Experts said the shape of skulls that belonged to a fully-grown adult are similar to the size and shape of those of the little penguins (Eudyptula minor), which still exist today.
Meanwhile, researchers are still unsure how small the extinct penguins were because of the lack of bones that they discovered.
They, however, noted that the exisiting little penguins normally grow to a maximum size of around 13.5 inches (35 centimeters), having a weight of around two pounds (0.9 kilogram).
The study, posted in the Journal of Paleontology of the Cambridge University Press, noted that the skulls discovered has depicted more slender proportions compared to modern little penguins.
These also preceded genome-derived estimates for the divergence between Eudyptula minor minor and Eudyptula m. novaehollandiae.
"This raises the possibility that the fossil taxon represents a lineage directly ancestral to extant little penguins. Our results support a Zealandian origin for little penguins, with subsequent Pleistocene dispersal to Australia and a more recent Holocene range expansion of Eudyptula m. novaehollandiae back into New Zealand," the study stated.
According to experts, the fossils described has shown that both the cranial morphology and body size of little penguins "have remained largely unchanged since the Pliocene, despite substantial environmental changes in the region over the past three million years."
Further, the study found out that the discovered penguin species could plausibly be ancestral to both of the living little penguin species that are presently found in Australia and New Zealand.
At present, little penguins and its four subspecies are inhabiting across New Zealand, mainland Australia and Tasmania.
However, experts are still uncertain where they come from, according to an entry posted on Massey University. The new finding suggests that the genus had its roots planted in New Zealand.
Read Also: The Story Behind Two Widowed Penguins Of Melbourne Skyline
Filling the gaps in ecosystem
Meanwhile, experts expressed belief that this discovery could help them fill in the gaps of the ecosystem's history.
The findings will also aid in providing insights about the other extinct and living species from the country, according to the experts.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed little penguins as "least concern," meaning they have large and stable populations.
The IUCN, however, noted that some populations have faced serious problems in the previous years.
The Live Science report said that in June 2022, more than 500 little penguins mysteriously washed up dead along beaches in New Zealand.
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