Re Giant extinct Australian Geese

[Stephen Wroe <swroe@bio.usyd.edu.au>]

In 1998 Peter Murray & Dirk Megirian described the first well-preserved 
skull of one of these Thunder birds (Bullockornis). It was a beautiful 
specimen. However, like Dan Varner - I was struck by the overall similarity 
to Gastornis/Diatryma. Consequently - I wrote an article invoking an 
argument deployed by  Witmer & Rose '91 to reestablish Diatryma as a 
carnivore. Witmer refereed the MS which was published in a popular 
Australian science magazine. If any one wants this article it can be pulled 
down in PDF from the following address or I can send a reprint. 
<http://www.bio.usyd.edu.au/staff/swroe/swroe.htm>

I'm the first to acknowledge that the giant-killer-duck hypothesis is far 
from proven. On the other hand I'm glad to see that Peter & Dirk - who were 
originally dismissive of my suggestion - now appear at least willing to 
consider the possibility that these all-time biggest birds may have 
consumed significant quantities of meat. One things for sure - at 500 kg 
and with a massively muscled jaw 500 mm long - these guys COULD have eaten 
just about anything they darn well felt like!

Cheers

Steve Wroe




In a message dated 8/15/02 1:45:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time, edels@msn.Com
writes:

<< >From CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/auspac/08/14/australian.giantgeese
/index.html >>

Big-time Gastornis/Diatryma deja vu going on there. Could the diet be
determined from the more recent specimens? DV


Stephen Wroe - Homepage - http://www.bio.usyd.edu.au/staff/swroe/swroe.htm