Scientific Name

Raphus cucullatus

Characteristics

Grayish feathers, large hooked beak, pronounced sexual dimorphism, males had a large bony knob on the wrists.

Sexual dimorphism is the condition where sexes of the same species exhibit different morphological characteristics, including characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most dioecious species, which consist of most animals and some plants.

Habitat

Endemic to the island of Mauritius, lived in forests.

Evolutionary History

Evolved to be flightless due to the absence of predators on Mauritius, likely had strong running abilities.

Extinction

Extinct in 1681.

Primary Cause of Extinction

Human activity and introduced non-native species (pigs, rats, cats) which preyed on eggs and chicks.

Genetic Relation

Part of the Columbidae family, closely related to the Nicobar pigeon.

Columbidae is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. They primarily feed on plants, and can be taxonomically divided amongst granivores, that feed mostly on the ground on seeds, and frugivores, that feed mostly on fruits, from branches.

Perceived Traits

Once thought to be slow and unintelligent, but recent studies show they were fast-moving and well-adapted forest birds.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.With reference to the dodo, consider the following statements:

1. The dodo was endemic to the island of Madagascar.
2. It evolved to be flightless due to the absence of predators in its habitat.
3. Human activity and the introduction of non-native species were the primary causes of its extinction.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The dodo was not endemic to Madagascar, but to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

Statement 2 is correct: The dodo evolved to be flightless due to the absence of natural predators on Mauritius. It likely had strong running abilities and adapted to its predator-free environment, making it unable to fly.

Statement 3 is correct: The primary cause of the extinction of the dodo was human activity, including hunting, and the introduction of non-native species (pigs, rats, cats) that preyed on its eggs