Around 24 million years ago, a pint-sized penguin waddled, swam, and dove along the coasts of southern New Zealand, and today, its fossilised remains are proving pivotal in unlocking the mysteries of penguin evolution. Recently identified as Pakudyptes hakataramea, this tiny penguin, standing just a foot tall, is shedding light on how modern penguins acquired their distinctive wing structure.
First unearthed in the 1980s, the fossils remained an evolutionary enigma due to the penguin’s unique blend of ancient and modern traits. With features that resemble both living and extinct species, Pakudyptes bridges crucial evolutionary gaps. Advanced CT scans allowed researchers to examine its structure in detail, revealing adaptations ideal for swimming and diving.
A tiny penguin that waddled, swam, and dove along the coasts of southern New Zealand around 24 million years ago may hold the “key” to understanding how modern penguins developed their unique wings, according to a new study.
‘Small diver’ penguin: A fossil mystery uncovered
First discovered in the 1980s, the fossils of this 1-foot-tall (0.3-meter) penguin have remained an evolutionary mystery for decades, despite its tiny size, making it one of the smallest penguins ever recorded. Recently, researchers re-examined these fossils, identifying a previously unknown species named Pakudyptes hakataramea.
The species name, Pakudyptes hakataramea, combines the Māori word “paku” (meaning “small”) and the Greek word “dyptes” (meaning “diver”), reflecting the penguin’s compact size and swimming abilities. The findings were published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand on July 31.
‘Small diver’ penguin: Key to understanding penguin wing evolution
This ancient penguin species fills an essential gap in understanding penguin wing evolution. Its shoulder joints resemble those of today’s penguins, while its elbow joints are similar to those of extinct species.
“Pakudyptes is the first fossil penguin with this combination, making it the ‘key’ fossil for unlocking the evolution of penguin wings,” explained lead author Tatsuro Ando, a curator at Japan’s Ashoro Museum of Paleontology.
Standing just 11.8 to 13.8 inches (30–35 cm), P. hakataramea was about the same size as the smallest modern penguins, like little blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) and Wilson’s little penguins (Eudyptula wilsonae), the smallest extinct species.
Insights into ‘small diver’ penguin adaptations and diversity
The fossils, consisting of three bones found in South Canterbury’s Hakataramea Quarry in 1987, were analysed using CT scanning to create 3D models. This allowed researchers to compare Pakudyptes with other penguins and position it accurately within the penguin lineage.
The study also shows that P. hakataramea had dense bones well-suited for swimming and diving, similar to modern penguins. The bone cavities resembled those of little blue penguins, indicating a preference for shallow waters.
Most fossil penguins are significantly larger, around 3.3 feet (1 metre), so this tiny species offers new insights into penguin diversity between the Oligocene (33.9–23.03 million years ago) and Miocene epochs (23.03–5.3 million years ago).
“Penguins evolved rapidly during the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene, and Pakudyptes is a vital fossil from this period,” noted co-author Carolina Loch, senior lecturer at the University of Otago. “Its small size and unique bone combination likely contributed to the ecological diversity we see in modern penguins.”
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