Ancient 'Mother Goose' Unearthed: New Species Rewrites NZ's Prehistoric Past

• Researchers discovered a new waterfowl species, Meterchen luti, dubbed the 'St Bathans goose,' from 14-19 million-year-old fossils in Central Otago, New Zealand.
• The discovery challenges previous theories about the origins of New Zealand's giant flightless Cnemiornis geese, suggesting a more recent arrival from Australia.
• Lake Manuherikia, a vast prehistoric lake, supported a diverse ecosystem including crocodilians, turtles, and various waterfowl, offering a glimpse into Aotearoa's subtropical past.
• The St Bathans goose, named after the nursery rhyme 'Old Mother Goose,' was a small goose species found in fragmentary remains.
• Multidisciplinary research highlights significant biological turnover in Zealandia's history, with rapid evolutionary changes on islands like the development of the giant Cnemiornis geese.