Scientists replicate lost tropical species

Portsmouth, England -- The appearances of dozens of extinct species of animals that lived alongside the dodo on several Indian Ocean islands have been replicated, researchers say.

Portsmouth University paleobiologist Dr. Julian Hume said he and his fellow researchers used bone fragments and fossils to show what at least 45 extinct animal species probably looked like, The Sunday Telegraph said.

Hume said research indicates that dozens of bird, mammal and reptile species lived on the Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues islands centuries ago.
The introduction of new species to the ecosystems and increased hunting contributed to the species' extinction.

"The Dutch officially discovered the islands in 1598 and there was then a very rapid destruction of the wildlife on the islands as the forests were cut down and the animals were killed for food," Hume told the Telegraph.

The findings are detailed in the book, "Lost Land of the Dodo," by Anthony Cheke and Julian Hume.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.