Mauritius Owl
Encyclopedia
The extinct Mauritius Owl (Mascarenotus sauzieri), also called Commerson's, Sauzier's or Newton's Owl, was endemic
to the Mascarene island of Mauritius
. It is known from a collection of subfossil
bones, a detailed sketch made by de Jossigny in 1770, a no less detailed description by Desjardins of a bird shot in 1836, and a number of brief reports about owls, the first being those of Van Westzanen in 1602 and Matelief
in 1606.
No descriptions of owls were recorded between the mid-17th and the late 18th century. This led to considerable confusion, especially since the bones were referred to ear tuft-less Strix
or barn owl
s, whereas the image and the description unequivocally show the presence of ear tufts. Thus, it was for a long time believed that 2 or even 3 species of owls occurred on the island. The supposed "barn owl" Tyto newtoni was described from tarsometatarsus
bones of what probably was a male individual of this species, whereas the Mauritius Owl's type
specimen seems to be a bone of a larger female bird. But the bird was neither a Strix nor a Scops owl
, and certainly not a barn owl. Instead, the Mascarene owls
of the genus Mascarenotus were most probably a distinct evolution
ary lineage related to the genus Ninox
that evolved convergently
to Scops or Asio
owls. The Mauritius bird was the largest species of its genus, with a total length of about 60 cm. Its scientific name honors Théodore Sauzier, who made the first bones available for scientific study.
s. In the 1830s, the species seems to have been not uncommonly found in the southeastern part of the island, between Souillac
and the Montagnes Bambous due east of Curepipe
, with the last testimony of observations referring to several encounters in 1837. However, as the cultivation of sugarcane
and tea
encroached upon its habitat
, combined with reckless shooting, it disappeared rapidly. In 1859, Clark wrote that the bird was extinct.
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to the Mascarene island of Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
. It is known from a collection of subfossil
Subfossil
Subfossil refers to remains whose fossilization process is not complete, either for lack of time or because the conditions in which they were buried were not optimal for fossilization....
bones, a detailed sketch made by de Jossigny in 1770, a no less detailed description by Desjardins of a bird shot in 1836, and a number of brief reports about owls, the first being those of Van Westzanen in 1602 and Matelief
Cornelis Matelief de Jonge
Cornelis Matelief , was a Dutch admiral who was active in establishing Dutch power in Southeast Asia during the beginning of the 17th century . His fleet was officially on a trading mission, but its true intent was to try to destroy Portuguese power in the area. The ships had 1400 men on board,...
in 1606.
No descriptions of owls were recorded between the mid-17th and the late 18th century. This led to considerable confusion, especially since the bones were referred to ear tuft-less Strix
Strix
Strix may refer to:* Strix , a legendary creature of ancient Roman mythology* Strix , the genus of large "earless" wood-owls* Strix , a Swedish production company...
or barn owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
s, whereas the image and the description unequivocally show the presence of ear tufts. Thus, it was for a long time believed that 2 or even 3 species of owls occurred on the island. The supposed "barn owl" Tyto newtoni was described from tarsometatarsus
Tarsometatarsus
The tarsometatarsus is a bone that is found in the lower leg of certain tetrapods, namely birds.It is formed from the fusion of several bones found in other types of animals, and homologous to the mammalian tarsal and metatarsal bones...
bones of what probably was a male individual of this species, whereas the Mauritius Owl's type
Biological type
In biology, a type is one particular specimen of an organism to which the scientific name of that organism is formally attached...
specimen seems to be a bone of a larger female bird. But the bird was neither a Strix nor a Scops owl
Scops owl
Scops owls are Strigidae belong to the genus Otus. Approximately 45 living species are known, but new ones are frequently recognized and unknown ones are still being discovered every few years or so, especially in Indonesia...
, and certainly not a barn owl. Instead, the Mascarene owls
Mascarene owls
The Mascarene owls form a distinct genus of owls. The three species, the Réunion Owl, Mauritius Owl, and Rodrigues Owl, are all extinct....
of the genus Mascarenotus were most probably a distinct evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
ary lineage related to the genus Ninox
Ninox
Ninox is a genus of owls comprising about 20 species found in Asia and Australasia. Many species are known as hawk owls or boobooks...
that evolved convergently
Convergent evolution
Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight. The wings are...
to Scops or Asio
Asio
Asio is a genus of typical owls, or true owls, in family Strigidae. The genus Asio contains the eared owls, which are characterised by feather tufts on the head which have the appearance of ears...
owls. The Mauritius bird was the largest species of its genus, with a total length of about 60 cm. Its scientific name honors Théodore Sauzier, who made the first bones available for scientific study.
Extinction
The Mauritius Owl was the largest carnivore on the island before the start of human settlement. Thus, unlike other local species of birds, it was not much affected by the introduction of predators such as cats, rats, and Crab-eating MacaqueCrab-eating Macaque
The Crab-eating macaque is a cercopithecine primate native to Southeast Asia. It is also called the "long-tailed macaque", and is referred to as the "cynomolgus monkey" in laboratories.-Etymology:...
s. In the 1830s, the species seems to have been not uncommonly found in the southeastern part of the island, between Souillac
Souillac, Mauritius
Souillac is a village close to the southernmost point of the main island of Mauritius. It is the capital of Savanne district. It was named after the Vicomte de Souillac, the island's governor from 1779-1787.-History:...
and the Montagnes Bambous due east of Curepipe
Curepipe
Curepipe is a town centrally situated in Mauritius, an island country in the southwest Indian Ocean. It is second in size and importance to Port Louis, the capital....
, with the last testimony of observations referring to several encounters in 1837. However, as the cultivation of sugarcane
Sugarcane
Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
and tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
encroached upon its habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
, combined with reckless shooting, it disappeared rapidly. In 1859, Clark wrote that the bird was extinct.