The Tahuata rail (Gallirallus roletti) is an extinct species of flightless bird in the Rallidae, or rail family.

Tahuata rail
Temporal range: Late Holocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Genus: Gallirallus
Species:
G. roletti
Binomial name
Gallirallus roletti
Kirchman & Steadman, 2007[1]

History

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It was described in 2007 from subfossil remains found in 1984-1985 by Barry Rolett at the Hanamiai archaeological site, on the island of Tahuata in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia. The site dates to about 1000 yr BP, from the early period of human settlement of the island.[1]

Etymology

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The species was named in honour of archaeologist Barry V. Rolett, whose research in the Marquesas has been of both archaeological and biological importance, particularly for the excavation of an extensive series of Gallirallus bones at the Hanamiai site.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Kirchman, Jeremy J. & Steadman, David. (2007). "New species of extinct rails (Aves: Rallidae) from archaeological sites in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia". Pacific Science. 61 (1): 145–163. doi:10.1353/psc.2007.0008. hdl:10125/22605. S2CID 86793953. Archived from the original on 2014-06-11.(subscription required)