Re: mass extinction

[Nick Pharris <npharris@umich.edu>]

Quoting Tommy Tyrberg <tommy.tyrberg@norrkoping.mail.telia.com>:

> Also there was a *very* large extinction in the Pacific when it was 
> colonized by the Polynesians. The size is uncertain since most 
> islands haven't been studied yet, but it certainly affected many more 
> species than 800. From the number of extinct species found on the 
> islands that have been investigated David Steadman estimates >2000 
> species *of birds alone*, i e 20% of the extant bird species
> of the World.
>
> Another major extinction occurred on Madagascar 500-2,000 years ago. 
> Total number of affected species is not known, since there has been 
> very limited research as yet.

Let's face it:  Austronesian languages cause mass extinctions.

--
Nick Pharris
Department of Linguistics
University of Michigan

"Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity."
    --Edwin H. Land