Amazonetta cubensis

Amazonetta cubensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Amazonetta
Species:
†A. cubensis
Binomial name
†Amazonetta cubensis
Zelenkov, 2025

Amazonetta cubensis (also known as the Cuban teal) is a species of duck in the family Anatidae that lived in Cuba during the Pleistocene epoch.[1] It is a relatively small species of duck similar in morphology to the extant Brazilian teal, however, the shaft was thinner and more steeply oriented.[2]

The scientific name of this species is referencing its occurrence in Cuba. The common name Cuban teal has been suggested because of this.[2]

Discovery

A complete humerus (PIN 5781/40) was discovered and given the classification of a new species. The fossil was discovered in western cuba in the El Abrón Cave strata which was dated to the late Pleistocene epoch.[1][2]

The evolutionary history and past diversity of ducks in the West Indies is largely unknown due to a poor fossil record of birds in the region. This makes the discovery of this species important for uncovering the history of ducks in this region.[1] The closest living ancestor of A. cubensis is a Brazilian species named Amazonetta brasiliensis (Brazilian teal). This has means that Amazonetta had a wider distribution during the late Quaternary period.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Zelenkov, Nikita (2025-05-09). "A new duck (Aves: Anatidae) from the Upper Pleistocene of Cuba". Zootaxa. 5633 (1): 139–150. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5633.1.7. ISSN 1175-5334.
  2. ^ a b c d Zelenkov, Nikita (2025-05-09). "Amazonetta cubensis Zelenkov, 2025, sp. nov". doi:10.5281/zenodo.15372731.
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