Marquesan Swamp Hen (Porphyrio paepae)

Year Last Seen:

1937

Comments:

This species may have survived until as late as 1937, but undoubtedly became Extinct soon after. It likely disappeared as a result of over-hunting and predation by invasive rats and cats.

Habitat:

This species was a small gallinule which probably had reduced flying capabilities (Hume and Walters 2012).

Causes:

Little is known, but it was presumably driven to extinction by hunting pressure and predation by invasive species.

Distribution:

Porphyrio paepae was known from Hiva Oa and Tahuata on the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia). It may have survived as late as 1937, but must have become extinct soon afterwards (Steadman 1988, Hume and Walters 2012).

References:

IUCN Redbook Data