Researchers are challenging misconceptions about the Dodo, a poorly understood bird species, in a new study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. Collaborating from the University of Southampton, the Natural History Museum, and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, they conducted an extensive review of the taxonomy of the Dodo and its closest relative, the Rodriguez Island Solitaire. By examining scientific literature spanning over 400 years and visiting collections in the UK, the researchers aim to properly classify these iconic species, which disappeared before the scientific principles for species classification were established.
Historically, accounts of the Dodo and the Solitaire were based on information from Dutch sailors, artistic representations, and incomplete remains, leading to misidentifications over the centuries. The absence of a definitive reference point or zoological nomenclature resulted in the naming of nonexistent species such as the Nazarene Dodo and the White Solitaire. Victorian-era scientists eventually proved that the Dodo and the Solitaire were not mythological creatures but were giant ground doves. However, disagreements persisted over the number of species, with researchers suggesting varying counts in the 19th and 20th centuries.
To address this confusion, the researchers delved into centuries of literature and visited specimens in the UK, including the world’s only surviving soft tissue from the Dodo at the Oxford Museum. Avian palaeontologist Dr. Julian Hume notes that despite the extensive literature on the Dodo, little is known about the bird in life. The study confirmed that both the Dodo and the Solitaire belonged to the columbid family, highlighting their unique place in the avian family tree. Researchers hope to correct the historical record surrounding these birds and challenge common misconceptions about their behavior and extinction.
Contrary to popular beliefs that portray the Dodo as a slow, clumsy creature destined for extinction, the researchers suggest a different perspective based on evidence from bone specimens. They argue that the Dodo was likely a fast-moving animal well-adapted to its environment. The islands where the Dodo lived lacked mammalian predators, making them vulnerable when humans introduced rats, cats, and pigs, leading to their rapid extinction. Understanding the biology and behavior of the Dodo and the Solitaire could potentially inform ecosystem recovery efforts in Mauritius, where these birds once thrived.
The study marks the beginning of a broader project to unravel the mysteries of these iconic extinct animals. Using advanced computer technology and collaboration with a palaeoartist, the team aims to reconstruct how the Dodo lived and moved, shedding light on their lifestyle and potential ecological roles. The project’s interdisciplinary approach combines scientific research with art to create a detailed, life-size model of the Dodo, making these extinct creatures tangible for people to see and touch. The research also aims to draw valuable lessons from the past that could aid in protecting endangered bird species today.
Supported by the University of Southampton’s Institute for Life Sciences, the research team emphasizes the importance of understanding the Dodo’s biology in shaping conservation strategies for present-day bird species. By solving the mysteries surrounding the Dodo, researchers hope to prevent further extinction events and contribute to the recovery of ecosystems impacted by human activities. The interdisciplinary nature of the project reflects Southampton’s commitment to advanced scholarship and collaborative research efforts aimed at unraveling the secrets of the past to inform a sustainable future for avian biodiversity.