What does the existence of multiple species within the genus, like *Waimanu handleyi*, suggest about this early lineage?
Answer
That the group was already experiencing some degree of adaptive radiation.
The discovery of several closely related species within a narrow geological window suggests that *Waimanu* was actively branching and diversifying rapidly to suit local environmental conditions.
Related Questions
During which geological epoch is the existence of *Waimanu* firmly placed?What was the estimated height of a fully grown *Waimanu*?How did the wings of *Waimanu* primarily differ from the wings of modern penguins?From which geographical location do the crucial fossil specimens of *Waimanu* originate?To which extinct family does the genus *Waimanu* belong, solidifying its role as a foundational group?*Waimanu* evolved rapidly in the aftermath of which major extinction event?*Waimanu* exhibits characteristics placing it in a transitional phase between which two stages of evolution?How does the size of *Waimanu* compare to the largest modern penguin species?What does the existence of multiple species within the genus, like *Waimanu handleyi*, suggest about this early lineage?In the progression of wing structure, what adaptation had *Waimanu* achieved before the evolution of fully developed flippers seen in later Eocene genera?