Contributions to New Zealand's Late Quaternary avifauna. 1: Pachyplichas, a new genus of wren (Aves: Acanthisittidae), with two new species

Abstract

Pachyplichas, a new genus of New Zealand wren (Aves: Acanthisittidae) is described from subfossil remains found in Late Pleistocene-Holocene cave sediments and Holocene dune sands. Two species, readily differentiated on the basis of size, are assigned to the new genus. P. jagmi sp. nov. is known only from the North Island, and the larger P. yaldwyni sp. nov. only from the South Island. Pachyplichas, which appears to be more closely related to Xenicus than to the diminutive Acanthisitta or the aberrant Traversia, exhibits several unique osteological features, including a highly modified pelvis and extraordinarily sturdy hind limbs. These features, allied with its relatively reduced wing skeleton, indicate that, like most other Acanthisittids, Pachyplichas was largely terrestrial in habit.