Kingdom animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class birds
Order Columbiformes
Family raphidae
Gender raphus
Speciesraphus cucullatus
the dodos, raphus cucullatus, were birds endemic to the Mauritius Islands (Indian Ocean), devoid of natural predators. With a hairless forehead and face, a claw-shaped beak and robust feet, they were relatively large (50 cm) and had a non-flying habit. They were docile, had a slightly clumsy walk, and laid a single egg, once a year, on the ground. It is believed that this name they received was a reference to their vocalization, something like “doe-doe”.
Belonging to the order of columbiformes, they shared ancestry in common with the current domestic pigeons.
The arrival of Portuguese, French and English settlers; from the 15th century onwards, it completely transformed the island, definitively marking the end of these animals, for two reasons. The first is because their meat came to be appreciated by these individuals and, being easy prey, they were clubbed. Second, because with the arrival of these individuals, some exotic species were introduced in the region, such as monkeys, pigs, dogs, cats and rats, competing for resources and even feeding on eggs and puppies. Thus, the last specimen of dodos was killed in approximately 1680.
The extinction of these birds threatened the life of another species: the dodo tree, or calvary (Sideroxylon grandiflorum). This tree, whose seeds fed the dodos, only germinated after crossing their digestive tract. On the islands that lived, few specimens remained. Thanks to science, it was discovered that turkeys could perform this same role, saving the plant.
However, the dodos could not be saved, leaving only a few fossils.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Brazil School Team
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"Extinct animals" section
Extinct animals - Animals - Brazil School