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Snares Penguin
jmorlan

Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus)

This Snares endemic was not described to science until 1953. It is similar to the Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) which has a smaller bill lacking the bare skin frame of Snares Penguin. The two are not known to interbreed even though 20-30 Fiordland Penguins visit the Snares each breeding season. Snares Penguins disappear from their breeding islands May-August during which time their whereabouts remain unknown. Three km away, a small subpopulation of Snares Penguins on the Western chain islets breed 6 weeks later than the main population. They are thus reproductively isolated temporally and may represent an undescribed cryptic species.
Location
North East Island, Snares, Southland, New Zealand
Date taken
5 January 2017
Scientific name
Eudyptes robustus
Equipment used
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Goodness what a grand find for you Joe, such a rare Gallery visitor.

A super picture you've taken of him too lad - very well done.

BTW, could you explain to me sometime what a 'cryptic species' is please. That's the first time I've heard of that term.
 
Opus Editor
Thanks. Cryptic species are biological species which appear identical physically but which are reproductively incompatible.
 
A stunning portrait of this lovely penguin, Joseph.
 

Media information

Category
New Zealand, Southern Oceans, Antarctica
Added by
jmorlan
Date added
View count
25
Comment count
4

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