Talpanas lippa Iwaniuk, Olson & James, 2009, sp. nov.
Talpanas lippa, sp. nov. (Olson & James) Holotype. USNM 535683; complete neurocranium lacking quadratojugals and any elements of the palate (Fig. 1) and with the surface of the basitemporal plate eroded away. Locality. Hawaiian Islands, Kauai, south coast. Maha'ulepu/Pa'a district, Mak...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Other/Unknown Material |
| Language: | unknown |
| Published: |
2009
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://zenodo.org/record/6213659 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6213659 |
| Summary: | Talpanas lippa, sp. nov. (Olson & James) Holotype. USNM 535683; complete neurocranium lacking quadratojugals and any elements of the palate (Fig. 1) and with the surface of the basitemporal plate eroded away. Locality. Hawaiian Islands, Kauai, south coast. Maha'ulepu/Pa'a district, Makauwahi Cave (Burney et al. 2001), 5 km ESE of the town of Koloa, 21 ˚ 53 ' 17.5 '' N 159 ˚ 25 ' 08.5''W. Chronology and stratigraphy. Mid to late Holocene (Burney et al. 2001). All specimens are from Excavation EP (5) at depths of 2.6 to 3.5 m below datum (= 1.4 to 1.7 m below sea level). A fruit of Cordia from the same square and level as the holotype had a calibrated radiocarbon age range of 5490 - 5305 YBP. The paratypes were all from somewhat deeper in the deposits. Etymology. L. lippus, nearly blind. Distribution. Known only from the type-locality on the island of Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. Diagnosis. As for the genus. Body mass estimates compared with the mass of living species (Dunning 2008) as well as standard markers, such as diameter of the acetabulum (see Materials and Methods), indicate a medium-large duck (692–1072 g) about the size of a Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) or female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), but with a much shorter, stouter leg. Measurements (mm) of holotype. Overall length 36.5; width of brain case 26.7; depth of brain case 19.9; minimum distance between the two orbits (taken dorsally) 10.5; width of nasofrontal hinge 12.5; width across lacrimals 15.4; width across supraorbital processes 12.7; width across postorbital processes 29.7. Paratypes. Figure 2 shows the six paratypes in comparison with elements of the Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis). The paratypes are as follows: fused vomer and right and left palatine bones (broken and repaired) USNM 535684 (Figs. 2 B,C); right postdentary portion of mandible USNM 535685 (Figs. 2 E, G); fragment of left innominate with antitrochanter and portion of acetabulum USNM 535688; proximal end of right tibiotarsus USNM 535689 (Fig. 2 L); right tarsometatarsus USNM ... |
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