Platydyptes fossil map
Where fossils of Platydyptes have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 30 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 30 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Prehistoric birds |
|---|---|
| Lived | 36.7–21.7 million years ago (Priabonian to Aquitanian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Named by | Marples 1952 |
| Fossil records | 5 occurrences at 4 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | New Zealand |
| Rock formations | Kokoamu Greensand, txn:NF |
About Platydyptes
Platydyptes is a genus of extinct penguins from the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene (about 27.3 to 21.7 million years ago) of New Zealand. It was created by Brian Marples in 1952 and contains three relatively large species, all of which were described from the north Otago to south Canterbury region in the South Island. The genus name Platydyptes combines the Greek platys ("broad and flat"), alluding to the shape of the humerus, with dyptes ("diver").
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Platydyptes (revision 1341564649), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q16988217.
