How did the flipper structure of Waimanu compare to that of modern penguins?
Answer
It retained more bird-like, less specialized wing features
The flippers of Waimanu were in a transitional state compared to modern penguins. They were not as stiff or purely wing-like as those found in extant penguin species, but instead maintained characteristics similar to flying birds. This anatomy suggests that while Waimanu was adapting to an aquatic life, it had not yet fully refined the specialized, rigid flipper structure optimized for efficient swimming.
Related Questions
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