An international team of scientists involving researchers from the University of Adelaide has used ancient DNA from bones of giant extinct New Zealand birds to show that significant climate and environmental changes did not have a large impact on their populations.

The population size of the giant moa remained stable over the past 40,000 years until the arrival of humans in New Zealand around 1280 AD.

The study was undertaken by researchers from the University of Adelaide’s Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, the University of Colorado, and the University of Waikato and Landcare Research in New Zealand.  The results are published online in the journal Quatemary Science Reviews.

Read more.. (ScienceDaily News)