According to the study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, a previously extinct species of bird returned from the dead, reclaiming the island it previously lived on and re-evolving itself back into existence.
- The white-throated rail colonized the Aldabra Atoll (Seychelles) in the Indian Ocean and evolved to become flightless, before being completely wiped out when the island disappeared below the sea around 136,000 years ago.
- But researchers found similar fossils from before and after that event, showing that the chicken-sized bird re-appeared when sea levels fell again a few thousand years later, re-colonized the island and again lost the ability to fly.
- The flightless rail can be found on Aldabra to this day.
- The extremely rare process is known as iterative evolution — the repeated evolution of a species from the same ancestor at different times in history.
- This is he first time the process has been seen in rails, and is one of the “most significant” instances ever found in birds, according to the authors.
About Aldabra Atoll
- Located in the Indian Ocean, the Aldabra Atoll is an outstanding example of a raised coral atoll. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, the atoll has remained largely untouched by humans for the majority of its existence.
- Aldabra is one of the largest atolls in the world, and contains one of the most important natural habitats for studying evolutionary and ecological processes. It is home to the largest giant tortoise population in the world. The richness and diversity of the ocean and landscapes result in an array of colours and formations that contribute to the atoll’s scenic and aesthetic appeal.
- Aldabra Atoll consists of four main islands of coral limestone separated by narrow passes and enclosing a large shallow lagoon, providing a superlative spectacle of natural phenomena.
- Aldabra atoll was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 19 November 1982.
