New Zealand is known as a global hotspot for seabird diversity since it is surrounded by highly productive oceans that attract seabirds from all over the globe. In fact, the New Zealand Department of Conservation even stated that New Zealand is considered the “seabird capital of the world.” However, due to the lack of fossil discoveries connecting New Zealand’s living seabirds to their ancient relatives, establishing when this hotspot was formed has been a challenge. This was until fossil bones from an ancient penguin have been found by local collectors in coastal Taranaki in the North Island of New Zealand. … Continue reading Ancestor of All Penguins Lived on Earth’s Lost 8th Continent, Researchers Say