DNA Provides Unique Look at Moa and Climate Change
Published:11 May2022 Source:University of Otago
Ancient moa DNA has provided insights into how species react to climate change, a University of Otago study has found. By analysing ancient DNA of the extinct eastern moa, researchers from the Department of Zoology found the giant birds altered their distribution as the climate warmed and cooled.
Lead author Dr Alex Verry says the species was spread across the eastern and southern South Island during the warmer Holocene period, but was restricted to the southern South Island during the height of the last Ice Age about 25,000 years ago.