Oahu Koa-Finch (Rhodacanthis sp.)

The Oahu Koa Finch was apparently very closely related to the so-called Primitive Koa Finch (Rhodacanthis litotes James & Olson), described in 2005 based on subfossil remains.

“The difference in aperture of the nasal cavity in the Oahu vs. Maui fossils of R. litotes suggests that those two populations might be recognized as distinct species if more fossils or genetic data were available for them.” [1]

This species has not yet been described.

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References:

[1] Helen F. James; Storrs L. Olson: The diversity and biogeography of koa-finches (Drepanidino: Rhodacanthis), with descriptions of two new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 144: 527-541. 2005

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edited: 04.01.2024