’40 bird families with flightless species existed before human-led extinctions’
That number is now 12, researchers said.
At least 40 bird families with flightless species roamed the Earth before a vast majority of them went extinct due to human-driven pressures, scientists have said.
According to a study led by researchers from University College London, the figure is nearly four times the existing number of bird families with flightless species.
The scientists said their findings, published in the journal Science Advances, show how human-driven extinctions have skewed the understanding of evolution.
Lead author Dr Ferran Sayol, of the UCL Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, said: “Our study shows that the evolution of flightlessness in birds is a widespread phenomenon.
“Today, most flightless species are penguins, rails or ostriches and their relatives.
“Now, only 12 bird families have flightless species, but before humans caused extinctions, the number was at least 40.
