# Extinct Megapode Bird Species Identified in Flores Cave Researchers discover a massive ancient bird species from a single leg bone fragment. - **Source:** [Sci.News: Breaking Science News](https://www.sci.news/) - **Published:** 2026-11-03 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d13c20cc-fbce-4494-b7a7-51080088f9f6 ## Discovery of Megapodius rokusi Paleontologists identified a new extinct megapode species, Megapodius rokusi, from a single leg bone fragment found in Indonesia. Excavated at the Liang Bua cave on Flores, this specimen dates back roughly 120,000 to 190,000 years. It represents the first fossil megapode ever described from the Wallacea island region between mainland Asia and Australia. ## Physical Characteristics and Size The ancient bird weighed approximately 3.9 kilograms, making it significantly larger than its modern relative, the orange-footed megapode. The living species on Flores typically weighs between 0.5 and 1.2 kilograms. This fossilized tarsometatarsus is larger than any known living or extinct species within the Megapodius genus, indicating a unique evolutionary path. ## Context of the Excavation The bone was recovered from the same Liang Bua cave site where the remains of Homo floresiensis were originally discovered. This location is significant for understanding the Pleistocene faunal landscape of the region. The specimen was analyzed alongside other faunal remains, contributing to the broader archaeological record of the Indonesian island chain. ## Naming and Scientific Legacy The species name honors Rokus Due Awe, an Indonesian zooarchaeologist who played a seminal role in identifying hominin bones at the site. He was instrumental in the analysis of the Homo floresiensis hypodigm following the 2003 discovery. This marks the first time a megapode species has been named after an Indonesian researcher. ## Ecological Distribution Patterns Megapodes are primarily limited to regions east of Wallace’s line, including Australia and Melanesia. They are notably absent from mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sunda Islands. Scientists attribute this distribution to ancient relic populations, competition with phasianids, or the presence of bird-eating mammalian carnivores that may have restricted their historical range. ## Reproductive and Survival Traits Unlike other birds, megapodes incubate eggs using environmental heat rather than body heat. They bury eggs in mounds, which makes them highly susceptible to predation. Because their eggs contain yolks comprising 50 to 60 percent of their weight, they likely served as a nutritious food source for both Homo floresiensis and humans. ## Unresolved Evolutionary Questions Due to the absence of shoulder or wing bones, researchers cannot determine if the bird possessed flight capabilities. Furthermore, the exact timing of its extinction remains unknown. It is unclear if Megapodius rokusi coexisted with the smaller modern species or if the living megapodes arrived only after the larger species had disappeared. ## Significance of the Findings Published in The Alcheringa in October 2026, this study expands our knowledge of island biogeography. By identifying this massive bird, researchers highlight the complex faunal history of Flores. Future studies may clarify the interaction between these ancient birds and the early hominins that inhabited the same cave environment during the Pleistocene. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.sci.news/paleontology/megapodius-rokusi-15170.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._