The "Oxford Dodo" on display at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Image credit: Frisbii via Wikimedia Commons
In the annals of natural history, the dodo stands as a poignant symbol of humanity’s impact on Earth’s biodiversity. European colonisers, by the close of the 17th century, erased this flightless bird from existence, leaving behind a void in the natural world.
Today, almost nothing remains of this species, save for a captivating specimen housed at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, writes Tim Hale, Senior Journalist for IFL Science.
Dubbed the “Oxford Dodo,” it holds the distinction of being the sole survivor among dodo soft tissues worldwide. This unique specimen includes a well-preserved skull with intact leathery skin on its left side, along with various tissue samples, an eye’s sclerotic ring, a feather, a foot bone, and a segment of its femur.
The remarkable condition of these remains has allowed scientists to extract DNA, offering a window into the dodo’s genetic legacy. In 2002, researchers at the University of Oxford utilised genetic data from this specimen to unveil insights into the dodo’s origins.
Their findings revealed that the species belonged to the avian group Columbiformes, which encompasses pigeons and doves.
The closest living relative of the dodo was identified as the Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica), inhabiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, situated across the Indian Ocean from the dodo’s native Mauritius.
Additionally, the dodo shared a close kinship with the Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria), native to Rodrigues, a small island near Mauritius, which sadly succumbed to extinction by the late 18th century.
Further insights into the life of the “Oxford Dodo” emerged through forensic scanning, revealing a fatal shotgun wound to the neck and head.
The identity of the perpetrator remains a mystery.
Contrary to historical depictions, which portrayed dodos as plump and rotund, these birds stood at approximately one meter in height and weighed around 20 kilograms.
Researchers now believe they were much leaner than previously imagined. Yet, without living specimens, their true appearance remains elusive.
The dodo’s fate was sealed with the arrival of European colonisers in Mauritius during the age of exploration. The first recorded encounter with the dodo dates back to 1598, when Dutch sailors made mention of the bird. There is speculation that the Portuguese may have encountered them earlier, possibly mistaking them for penguins.
As ground-nesting, flightless birds, dodos were easy prey for hunters and the introduced predatory species, including dogs, cats, pigs, rats, and crab-eating macaques.
Their population dwindled rapidly. The last confirmed sighting of a live dodo occurred in 1662, though statistical analysis suggests their presence may have extended until 1690.
While fragments of dodo bones can be found in various museums worldwide, the “Oxford Dodo” remains the sole known example of intact soft tissue. It’s worth noting that exhibitions featuring taxidermy dodos may not always showcase authentic specimens.
The Last Surviving Dodo Soft Tissues: A Glimpse into Extinction
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The information and opinions expressed in our published works are those of authors/sources believed to be reliable. NewsMoris makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information expressed.
