Amazonetta cubensis
Extinct species of duck
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Amazonetta cubensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Amazonetta |
| Species: | †A. cubensis |
| Binomial name | |
| †Amazonetta cubensis Zelenkov, 2025 | |
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]