An Extinct New Rail (<i>Gallirallus</i>, Aves: Rallidae) Species from Rapa Island, French Polynesia

Abstract

A new species of rail, Gallirallus astolfoi sp. nov., is described from Rapa Island (Rapa Iti), French Polynesia. The holotype (and single known specimen) is a left tarsometatarsus recovered from Tangarutu Cave. This rail species was apparently endemic to Rapa Iti and potentially flightless. It became extinct after human colonisation of the island.

Keywords

• endemic species
• flightlessness
• <i>Gallirallus astolfoi</i> sp. nov.
• Holocene
• Rapa Iti