http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/moa-nola/ for Bigfoot, Loch Ness, and More Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:45:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/moa-nola/#comment-43850 mystery_man Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:27:49 +0000 http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/moa-nola/#comment-43850 Another interesting case. The disappearance of this animal could have had an impact on the ecology of Hawaii because it is thought that the mao-nola was a prime browser on the islands. They were folivorous, meaning leaf eaters, and it is likely they fulfilled a role in the ecology that is often filled by herbivorous mammals. t seems there is evidence that some forms of plants on the island developed substantial spines in order to protect from being eaten by these birds. These spines can be unusual for island flora as many plants tend to lose these defenses over time unless there is an animal that does substantial browsing on the vegetation. Grazers and browsers play a very important role, so this wasn't just a species that was wiped out, it was a substantial niche within Hawaii's ecology that was affected and could have altered the course of the island's natural development. Another interesting case. The disappearance of this animal could have had an impact on the ecology of Hawaii because it is thought that the mao-nola was a prime browser on the islands. They were folivorous, meaning leaf eaters, and it is likely they fulfilled a role in the ecology that is often filled by herbivorous mammals. t seems there is evidence that some forms of plants on the island developed substantial spines in order to protect from being eaten by these birds. These spines can be unusual for island flora as many plants tend to lose these defenses over time unless there is an animal that does substantial browsing on the vegetation. Grazers and browsers play a very important role, so this wasn’t just a species that was wiped out, it was a substantial niche within Hawaii’s ecology that was affected and could have altered the course of the island’s natural development.

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