Post by Melanie on Dec 17, 2006 23:22:45 GMT
Porzana sp., medium Kauai rail
"medium Kauai rail" (part) Olson and James, 1982b:36, 44; 1984:771.
Materiak Premaxillary symphysis, USNM 385884; left femur lacking distal
end, USNM 385887; distal two-thirds of shaft of left humerus preserving part of
the brachial depression, USNM 385886; right and left tarsometatarsi, USNM
385879-80 (of identical size and probably from the same individual).
Distribution: Kauai: Makawehi dunes.
Measurements (mm): Femur: estimated length, 30 mm; proximal width, 4.7,
shaft width at midpoint, 2.0. Tarsometatarsus: length, 28.2, proximal width, 4.6,
width of shaft at midpoint, 2.3, distal width, 4.7.
Remarks: This bird would probably have been about the size of Porzana sandwichensis,
perhaps slightly larger. The femur is longer and straighter than in P.
palmeri and is somewhat larger than in the medium-sized rail of Maui. The
tarsometatarsi are slightly larger than in P. sandwichensiS and considerably more
robust. The premaxillary symphysis can only tentatively be referred to this species,
as it could belong to the larger rail from Kauai.
"medium Kauai rail" (part) Olson and James, 1982b:36, 44; 1984:771.
Materiak Premaxillary symphysis, USNM 385884; left femur lacking distal
end, USNM 385887; distal two-thirds of shaft of left humerus preserving part of
the brachial depression, USNM 385886; right and left tarsometatarsi, USNM
385879-80 (of identical size and probably from the same individual).
Distribution: Kauai: Makawehi dunes.
Measurements (mm): Femur: estimated length, 30 mm; proximal width, 4.7,
shaft width at midpoint, 2.0. Tarsometatarsus: length, 28.2, proximal width, 4.6,
width of shaft at midpoint, 2.3, distal width, 4.7.
Remarks: This bird would probably have been about the size of Porzana sandwichensis,
perhaps slightly larger. The femur is longer and straighter than in P.
palmeri and is somewhat larger than in the medium-sized rail of Maui. The
tarsometatarsi are slightly larger than in P. sandwichensiS and considerably more
robust. The premaxillary symphysis can only tentatively be referred to this species,
as it could belong to the larger rail from Kauai.
