Ostrich Evolution

Background on the Modern Ostrich

Taxonomy

(Classification)

Background on Modern Ostrich

The Ostrich is a large flightless bird that moves around by running with long powerful legs over long distances. The Ostrich is the largest bird on Earth, and is 5.7 to 9 ft tall.

Earliest Ancestors of the Modern Ostrich

Scientist speculate that all ratites evoved from the same ancestor, then when the supercontinent Pangaea split, all of the ratites evolved seperatly in their own continents.

Earliest Ancestors of the Modern Ostrich

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Intermediate Forms that led to the Modern Ostrich

An intermediate form of the modern ostrich was found in central Europe. It was of the species Palaeotis, and is one of the earliest ostrich like birds.

Intermediate Forms that led to the Modern Ostrich

Differences and Similarities of Modern and Intermediate Species Adaptations

The Palaeotis had a much smaller body than the ostrich. It also had much bigger wings in proportion to its body than the ostrich. The beak was more slender on the Palaeotis than the ostrich which points to it being carnivorus.

Differences and Similarities of Modern and Intermediate Species Adaptations

Adaptations of the modern Ostrich

The Ostrich has adapted to live in the African grasslands and arid lands. They lost their ability to fly, and instead, run long distances to find food. Ostriches are omnivores, but mainly graze and eat plants. Some adaptations for running include thicker, longer legs, and only having two toes. They can sprint at speeds of up to 70 kmh (44 mph) and maintain speeds of about 50 kmh (31 mph).

Adaptations of the modern Ostrich

Modern Relatives and their Adaptations

Modern Relatives and their Adaptations

Some modern relatives of the Ostrich are Emus and Kiwi Birds, which are both classified as ratites like the ostrich. Emus have adapted to living in Australia, and are smaller than Ostriches, 4.9 to 6.2 feet (1.5 to 1.9 meters) vs 6 to 9 feet of an ostrich. They are adapted to be more ajile, and can even swim. Kiwi birds are chicken sized flightless birds that live in New Zealand. They have 4 padded toes to help them run silently and strong legs that allow them to run quickly from danger.

Evolutionary Tree

Sources

• https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/ostrich
• http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/grasslnd/animals/ostrich.htm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_ostrich
• https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/05/140513-flightless-birds-ostriches-moas-evolution-science/
• https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/emu
• https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/kiwi
• http://tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=4734
• https://www.revolvy.com/page/Palaeotis