iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) - the largest species of moa, weighing over 200 kg and capable of reaching 3.6 metres above the ground. As their name suggests, they were native to the South Island of New Zealand, primarily inhabiting lowland areas. 1/11

12212

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Dinornis robustus were the second largest birds ever found, surpassed in weight and size only by their distant cousin, the elephant bird. They became extinct +-600 years ago, due to the arrival of humans, like other moas. 2/11

182

Reposted by GabiPaleo

A major factor in the extinction of moas, especially the giant ones, was egg theft by humans. These birds could lay 1-2 eggs at a time, investing heavily in a small number of hatchlings. 3/11

Reposted by GabiPaleo

This breeding strategy resulted in a population consisting mainly of long-lived, slow-breeding adults. Interestingly, despite their enormous size, moas eggs were very thin and fragile, only 1.4mm thick. 4/11

161

Reposted by GabiPaleo

This may have led to another interesting adaptation, a major sexual dimorphism; males were much smaller than females, so much so that they were once thought to be different species. 5/11

192

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Similar to some modern ratites, it's thought that males took care of eggs and young alone, the smaller size made it easier not to damage eggs, although they probably didn't sit on them but wrapped their necks around them. 6/11

Ostrich taking care of its eggs, but not sitting on them, behaviour which probably occured in Moas. DStamatelatos

Reposted by GabiPaleo

They nested in holes in the ground or even in hollow tree trunks, probably reused for many years, suggesting that they lived in isolation rather than in a colony. 7/11

Nest of a kiwi in a small burrow, backyardkiwi.org.nz

Reposted by GabiPaleo

It is likely that females competed for males with the largest territories, perhaps physically or just by vocalisation. After hatching from the egg, baby moa were already able to walk and feed, probably not only on ferns and grasses but also on smaller animals. 8/11

Hatchlings of Southern Ostrich, by eugenevs on iNaturalist

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Moas could reach sexual maturity in a few years, but probably social behaviour would prevent them from breeding until much later; much like the cassowary, which doesn't breed until it has its own territory. 9/11

Cassowary with hatchlings, www.rainforestrescue.org.au

151

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Moas were once thought to be closely related to another New Zealand bird - the kiwi - but DNA sequencing has shown that their closest relative is actually the tinamou, a small flying ratite/paleognath from South America. 10/11

Elegant crested tinamou, DickDaniels, theworldbirds.org

151

Reposted by GabiPaleo

The two diverged about 60 million years ago, making the moa another example of a paleognath that lost its ability to fly independently after reaching a region without many other large herbivores and predators. 11/11

061

GabiPaleo @gabipaleo.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

12212

I forgot to post it, but here's a size comparison of pretty much every animal I made in 2024 (not including Pokezoa!)

0246

GabiPaleo @gabipaleo.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Also version with females without blue legs, which one do u prefer?

0100

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Kiwi (Apteryx) - a genus of flightless birds endemic to New Zealand. They're the smallest of the ratites, a group that includes ostriches, emus, cassowaries, the extinct moas and elephant birds - kiwi's closest relatives, with both lineages diverging 54 million years ago. 1/6

12112

Reposted by GabiPaleo

There are five species of kiwi found in habitats ranging from subalpine scrub to podocarp forests throughout New Zealand. While none overlap today, they were widespread before the introduction of mammals such as stoats, the kiwi's main predator, and several species coexisted. 2/6

1124

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Despite differences in size, colour and habitat, all kiwi species share traits such as sexual dimorphism; females are larger than males, reliance on hearing and smell rather than sight, an omnivorous diet, and a nocturnal lifestyle; possibly a result of mammalian predators. 3/6

Stoat, a main predator of Kiwis, photo by David Hallett

1112

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Kiwis were thought to be closely related to the extinct moa due to shared traits. However, DNA studies show they're closer to Madagascar's elephant birds, rather than to the moa, with which they shared New Zealand. 4/6

Ostrich (left) and Aepyornis/Elephant bird (right) skeletons
hoopermuseum.earthsci.carleton.ca

192

Reposted by GabiPaleo

The kiwi's massive eggs were once thought to be a shared trait with its relatives, the elephant birds; which laid the largest eggs ever recorded. However, it's now thought to be an adaptation for precocity, allowing the chicks to hatch mobile with yolk to sustain them. 5/6

Skeleton of Kiwi/Apteryx mantelii with an egg inside, collections.tepapa.govt.nz

1103

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Fossils of the extinct genus of kiwi - Proapteryx, suggest that their ancestors were capable of flight and lost this ability after reaching New Zealand. This also suggests that kiwis arrived in New Zealand independently and much later than the Moas, which were already there. 6/6

Right femur of Proapteryx micromeros, Worthy TH et al.

082

GabiPaleo @gabipaleo.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

12112

Finishing up next entry - Kiwi, and due to the fact I made each of 5 species and quite small distribution range I need to make a little different size chart than usually; what do you guys think? Anything I could improve/change/add?

0144

GabiPaleo @gabipaleo.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

+I got a new book from Steve Brusatte at the museum, expect a bit more artworks with mammals/proto-mammals from me

052

GabiPaleo @gabipaleo.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

No art for almost 1 month, sorry but I was busy with university stuff (and when I wasn't I didn't have my laptop), but now it's christmas break and I have my laptop back; any suggestions for next artworks? oh also I was at Museum für Naturkunde yesterday with @mayamoo0.bsky.social! :)

1121

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Pinocetus – a genus of small baleen whales from the Miocene epoch, discovered in southern Poland. It inhabited shallow waters of the Paratethys Sea. As a smaller whale, it fell prey to predators such as Megalodon. The genus is known only from one species, Pinocetus polonicus. 1/4

22512

Reposted by GabiPaleo

The anatomy of Pinocetus, with its elongated, oval-shaped chest, low-positioned lungs, and weak flipper muscles, suggests it was not an efficient swimmer. Likely unable to dive deeply, it was confined to shallow, coastal waters where it thrived. 2/4

193

Reposted by GabiPaleo

The Museum of Natural History in Wrocław holds an almost complete, well-preserved Pinocetus skeleton. An incomplete second specimen in Kielce was broken during excavation; one half was taken by a small on-site corporation, its current location is unknown. 3/4

Pinocetus polonicus display at Geological Museum in Kielce

152

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Attempts to recover the missing part of the fossil were met with hostility, as company representatives insulted museum staff and journalists. Afterward, the fossil's whereabouts became a mystery, hindering further research into extinct whales from Poland. 4/4

Pygmy right whale, the smallest baleen whale alive today, measuring 6 metres; still much larger than Pinocetus. Photo by Marko Steffensen/Alamy

042

GabiPaleo @gabipaleo.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

22512

trying to keep being motivated to make art while everything lately flop,,, maybe because they weren't paleoart idk,,,, oh also Pinocetus will drop this week, maybe something from New Caledonia (idk yet if extant or extinct) too

160

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Japanese rhinoceros beetle - a species of large rhino beetle from eastern Asia, found in tropical or subtropical climate, in broad-leaved forests or mountains. There are many subspecies, which differ mainly in the size of the males due to the intensity of sexual selection. 1/5

1177

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Like all rhinoceros beetles, they're herbivores, with larvae feeding on humus and adults preferring to feed on exposed tree sap. One subspecies is even capable of cutting into thin tree bark by itself, without relying on other insects. 2/5

1156

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Both males and females are very aggressive. Males will fight each other for territory and access to females, using their horns to flip the rival over. Initially they'll just push each other with their horns, trying to assess their chances, and decide whether to fight or flee. 3/5

142

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Sometimes males try to be sneaky, either by trying to mate with females on another male's territory without confrontation, or by trying to separate other male and female during mating and mount the female themselves. 4/5

142

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Females fight each other for territory. Instead of flipping, due to lack of horn, they'll just headbutt each other. A large horn on males is the result of sexual selection; males with larger horns have a greater chance of winning a fight and therefore have greater reproductive success. 5/5

042

1177

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Maned wolf – a long-legged canid native to South America, adapted for grasslands. Its long legs provide an elevated view of its surroundings. As an omnivore, it hunts small mammals, birds, and insects, and forages on plants, which often make up over 50% of its diet. 1/4

13414

Reposted by GabiPaleo

The wolf apple, a large green, tomato-like fruit, is a key part of the maned wolf's diet. As the primary seed disperser, the wolf is crucial to the plant's reproduction. The wolf’s extensive home range also ensures that seeds are spread across vast areas. 2/4

1172

Reposted by GabiPaleo

Using stealth and sharp senses, the maned wolf hunts by listening for rustling prey and pouncing, fox-like. With a success rate around 20%, it's a skilled predator, despite that both young and adults are still vulnerable to other predators, like jaguars or pumas. 3/4

Wolf apple, Solanum lycocarpum, https://www.arvores.brasil.nom.br/new/lobeira/

1162

Reposted by GabiPaleo

The maned wolf’s reputation varies across cultures-some fear it, others tolerate it, while some believe its body parts bring good luck or have medicinal properties. Once blamed for livestock killings, this myth has been debunked. Thankfully, despite that, it's not endangered. 4/4

0111