New Fossil Discovery Sheds Light on Penguin Wing Evolution

Pakudyptes hakataramea, a tiny 24-million-year-old penguin, reveals critical insights into the development of modern penguin wings.

Pakudyptes hakataramea is among the smallest known penguin species, similar in size to today's little blue penguin.
The fossil was discovered in New Zealand's South Island and dates back to the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene period.
Anatomical analysis shows Pakudyptes had a unique combination of shoulder and elbow joints, bridging a gap between extinct and modern penguins.
The species' bone structure suggests it had adaptations for diving and swimming in shallow waters.
Researchers used CT scans to compare Pakudyptes' bones with those of living penguins, providing new evolutionary insights.