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Mauritius Shelduck

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description Mauritius Shelduck Overview

The Mauritius shelduck, also called the Mauritius sheldgoose, was an extinct waterfowl species endemic to the island of Mauritius. It is classified as Alopochen mauritiana and is known from limited skeletal remains together with seventeenth-century reports of geese on the island. Contemporary evidence indicates that it disappeared during the late seventeenth century; the last historical record is generally associated with 1698. The species is studied in connection with island endemism and human-caused extinction.

help Mauritius Shelduck FAQ

What was the Mauritius shelduck?

The Mauritius shelduck, also called the Mauritius sheldgoose, was an extinct waterfowl endemic to Mauritius. Its scientific name is Alopochen mauritiana.

What evidence do scientists have for Alopochen mauritiana?

Knowledge of the species comes from limited skeletal remains and reports of geese on Mauritius during the seventeenth century. The scarcity of evidence makes the bird's behavior and exact extinction history difficult to reconstruct.

Why is the Mauritius shelduck also called a sheldgoose?

Both common names have been used for the same extinct species, Alopochen mauritiana. The dual naming reflects its classification as a goose-like waterfowl rather than evidence for two separate Mauritius birds.

Was the Mauritius shelduck native to another island as well?

Available descriptions identify Alopochen mauritiana as endemic to Mauritius. That means its known natural range was restricted to that island.

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