Approximately how long ago did the kākāpō lineage diverge from other parrot groups based on genetic studies?
Answer
An estimated 80 million years ago.
Genetic analysis reveals that the kākāpō represents an exceptionally ancient branch within the parrot family, Psittaciformes. This divergence event is estimated to have occurred approximately 80 million years ago. This deep antiquity places its evolutionary history substantially in the past, predating the widespread diversification of many modern animal groups, including most modern placental mammals. This profound age explains why its characteristics, such as its terrestrial lifestyle and unique sensory reliance, are so highly divergent from contemporary, acrobatic parrot species.
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