The conquered lorikeet (Vini vidivici) is a species of parrot that became extinct 700–1300 years ago. It lived in islands of Polynesia. David Steadman and Marie Zarriello wrote its species description in 1987.
| Conquered lorikeet Temporal range: Late Holocene | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hypothetical restoration based on fossils and related species; the colouration is speculative. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittaculidae |
| Genus: | Vini |
| Species: | †V. vidivici |
| Binomial name | |
| †Vini vidivici | |
It was discovered in the oldest archaeological layer of 1000 AD and not recorded after 1200 AD.[2]
Description
It was a large species; the only larger species in Vini was V. sinotoi.[1]
Distribution
Specimens have been found on Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, and Tahuata (Marquesas Islands);[1][3] Mangaia (Cook Islands);[4] and Huahine (Society Islands).[5]
Etymology
The binomial name is wordplay alluding to "veni, vidi, vici." The authors wrote in the original description:[1]
The meaning, "I came, I saw, I conquered," may be projected into the prehistoric situation in the Marquesas and elsewhere in Polynesia, where people came to an island, saw the native parrots, and then conquered them, leaving behind only the bones.
The generic name in fact does not come from Latin; René Lesson chose Vini as the name for the genus since vini is the Tahitian word for a local bird.[6][7][8]
References
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