This is a list of Hawaiian animal species extinct in the Holocene that covers extinctions from the Holocene epoch, a geologic epoch that began about 11,650 years before present (about 9700 BCE)[a] and continues to the present day.[1]
The islands of East Polynesia (including New Zealand, Hawaii, and Easter Island) were among the last habitable places on earth colonized by humans.[3] Estimates for the timing of Polynesian settlement in Hawaii have been uncertain,[4] but a 2010 study based on radiocarbon dates of more reliable samples suggests that Hawaii was first settled by humnas roughly between 1219 and 1266 CE.[3] In 1778, British explorer James Cook became the first recorded European to arrive in Hawaii. An influx of European and American explorers, traders, and whalers arrived shortly after. Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898 and became a state in 1959.[5]
Numerous species have disappeared from Hawaii as part of the ongoing Holocene extinction, driven by human activity. Human contact, first by Polynesians and later by Europeans, had a significant impact on the environment. Both the Polynesians and Europeans cleared native forests and introduced non-indigenous species for agriculture (or by accident), driving many endemic species to extinction. Fossil finds in caves, lava tubes, and sand dunes have revealed that Hawaii once had a native eagle,[6] two raven-size crows, several bird-eating owls, and giant ducks known as moa-nalo. Today, many of Hawaii's remaining endemic species of plants and animals are considered endangered. Hawaii has more endangered species and has lost a higher percentage of its endemic species than any other U.S. state.[7] The endemic plant Brighamia now requires hand pollination because its natural pollinator is presumed to be extinct.[8]
This list of extinct species only includes the indigenous biota of Hawaii, not domestic animals like the Hawaiian Poi Dog. Many extinction dates are unknown due to a lack of relevant information.
Known from subfossil remains. It was possibly restricted to montane habitat, while the lowlands were occupied by the Maui Nui large-billed moa-nalo. Likely disappeared due to a combination of hunting and predation or competition with introduced mammals.[14]
Most recent remains dated to 3540-3355 BCE.[15] Being a flightless, nocturnal, almost-blind species convergent with New Zealand's kiwi, it was likely very vulnerable to hunting and predation by introduced animals.[14]
Most recent remains dated to 440-639 CE.[11] It possibly disappeared due to a combination of hunting, habitat loss, and nest-predation by introduced mammals.[14]
Most recent remains dated to 1057-1375.[11] It occupied low altitudes while the small-billed moa-nalo lived at higher elevations. It likely disappeared due to hunting, and nest predation by Polynesian rats.[14]
Disappeared from Laysan in 1923 after feral rabbits ate all the vegetation in the island. Previously, the species was introduced to other islands in an attempt to save it from extinction, establishing successful populations in Midway (Eastern and Sand islands). In 1943, military construction in Midway accidentally introduced black rats, which exterminated the rails by either June 1944 or June 1945.[14]
Last collected in 1864; claims of further survival are unsubstantiated. The nominate subspecies Z. s. sandwichensis lived on the leeward side of the island of Hawaii and the subspecies Z. s. millsi on the windward side. It coexisted peacefully with the Polynesian rat but might have been driven to extinction by the black rat. Mongooses were blamed by some authors, but they were not introduced to the island until 1883. Hunting, deforestation, predation by pigs, cats, and dogs, and introduced diseases from poultry may have been contributing factors to its extinction.[14]
Early 11th century/200 C.E. Known from subfossil remains. It was apparently limited to lowland areas while Ziegler's crake occupied the highlands, which would make it even more vulnerable to human settlement than other flightless rails.[14]
Known from mid-Holocene remains. There are no resident gull species in Kauai's modern fauna, though the laughing gull and others occur accidentally.[16]
Known from subfossil remains found in archaeological assemblages, because of this it is believed that it was hunted by people. It has no close living relatives.[17]
Holocene eagle fossils have been found on Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. The absence of eagle fossils from other Hawaiian islands might represent a true gap in distribution or a deficiency in the fossil record. Based on DNA research, these fossils represent the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) or a very close relative. The Hawaiian eagle was an isolated, resident population in Hawaii for more than 100,000 years, where it was the largest terrestrial predator. Its extinction could have been related to human-induced ecological changes, although there is currently no direct evidence for temporal overlap with humans.[20]
Historically recorded on the island of Hawaii, where it was persecuted as a nuisance during the 19th century. Fossils indicate that this species or a very similar one was also found on Maui before European contact. The last wild pairs bred on the slopes of the Mauna Loa in 1992, by which time there were only 11 or 12 individuals left. One egg was laid in 1996 but didn't hatch, and the last pair was sighted in 2002. A captive population exists, but a release program in 1993-1999 ended in failure.[22]
Last recorded in 1913. It likely disappeared due to habitat destruction caused by feral rabbits, which were introduced in 1904 and destroyed the vegetation almost completely by 1920.[14]
The last individual was collected on the island of Hawaii in 1859. Fossils indicate that this species or a very similar one was also found on Maui and Oahu before European contact. Deforestation, hunting, and introduced predators likely contributed to its extinction.[23]
Last recorded on Molokai in 1904, with unconfirmed reports lasting until 1915. A bird thought to be this species was observed on Maui in 1981. It declined due to habitat destruction for agriculture and grazing feral mammals, before being wiped out by introduced black rats and diseases carried by mosquitos.[25]
Though common before the 1890s, it became restricted to the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve by the 1970s, and a single pair survived by 1981. The female disappeared when Hurricane Iwa struck Kauai in 1982, and the male was recorded singing in solitary until 1987. The species likely declined due to habitat destruction, predation by introduced black rats and feral pigs, as well as disease-carrying mosquitos.[26]
Last reliably sighted in 1985, with unconfirmed sightings until 1991. Likely causes of extinction include disease carried by introduced mosquitos, deforestation and degradation of forests by feral pigs.[28]
Known from a single individual collected in 1825 and fossil remains. The cause of extinction is unknown, though habitat destruction and avian malaria are suspected.[29]
Possibly disappeared from Maui in the 19th century. It was last seen in Lanai in 1933, and the last reliable sighting in Molokai happened in 1980 though there were unconfirmed reports in 1988, 1994, and 2005. It could have been driven extinct by diseases spread by introduced mosquitos and habitat destruction.[30]
The species is known from only two specimens collected in 1837, although there were undocumented reports in 1937 and 1940. Thought to have been driven to extinction by habitat destruction and disease.[31]
Named from three individuals collected on Lanai in 1892; fossils have also been found on Molokai and Maui. The species is thought to have been driven to extinction by habitat destruction, disease, and possibly introduced species.[32]
Restricted to about four square miles by the time of its discovery in the late 19th century, it was last collected in 1894. The reasons of extinction are unknown, but may include habitat destruction, introduced mammalian predators, and avian malaria.[35]
Last collected in 1892, there was an unconfirmed sighting in 1937. The causes of extinction are unknown, but deforestation, malaria, and predation by introduced rats may have been contributing factors.[36]
Last collected in Molokai in 1907; fossils are known from Maui. It probably disappeared due to destruction of its understorey habitat by introduced cattle and deer, and predation by rats and mongooses.[37]
Last recorded in 1898. Although heavily trapped for its feathers, it was likely driven to extinction ultimately by habitat destruction and disease.[38]
Only known from a single specimen collected in 1913 and single sightings in 1916 and 1918. Presumably driven to extinction by clearing forests for pineapple plantation, predation by cats and rats.[39]
The last two preserved individuals were collected either during an expedition in 1838 or another in 1840-1841, though native accounts suggest it was still present in 1860. A second-hand report from 1939 is "doubtlessly incorrect".[40]
Disappeared after almost the entire vegetation cover of the island was eaten by introduced feral rabbits. The last three individuals were killed in a storm in 1923.[42]
Last two individuals recorded in 2004; one died shortly after being captured. The precise causes of decline are unknown. Suggestions include habitat destruction and modification, spread of disease-carrying mosquitos, pig activity, predation by rats, cats, and small Indian mongooses; and the decline of native Hawaiian snails as a result of predation by rats and the garlic snail Oxychilus alliaricus.[45]
Seemed to have been driven to extinction by habitat destruction, and not by climatic variation nor mosquito-vectored diseases. Koa finches were likely driven out of lowland habitat before or shortly after the time of western contact in 1778. The two species from the island of Hawaii persisted until the late 19th century, when their upland refugium was degraded by logging, ranching, and intensified predation by the black rat.[48] The lesser koa finch was last recorded in 1891.[49] According to the IUCN red list, "this or a similar species is also known from the fossil record of O'ahu and Maui"[49] apparently referring to the primitive koa finch (Rhodacanthis litotes).[50]
Known from fossils on Maui and Kauai. Based on its disjunct distribution, the species might have occurred on all main islands except the island of Hawaii, although more fossils are needed for confirmation.[50] The koa finches seem to have been driven to extinction by habitat destruction, and not by climatic variation nor mosquito-vectored diseases. Koa finches were likely driven out of lowland habitat before or shortly after the time of western contact in 1778. The two species from Maui might have survived in an upland refugium until the late 19th century, paralleling the fate of the two species from the island of Hawaii. However, the only verified records are from fossils at a lower elevation.[48]
Known from fossils on Maui and Oahu. Based on its disjunct distribution, the species might have occurred on all main islands except the island of Hawaii and perhaps Kauai, although more fossils are needed for confirmation.[50] The primitive koa finch populations from Oahu and Maui might represent two distinct species, but more fossils or genetic data are necessary.[50] The koa finches seem to have been driven to extinction by habitat destruction, and not by climatic variation nor mosquito-vectored diseases. Koa finches were likely driven out of lowland habitat before or shortly after the time of western contact in 1778. The two species from Maui might have survived in an upland refugium until the late 19th century, paralleling the fate of the two species from the island of Hawaii. However, the only verified records are from fossils at a lower elevation.[48]
Last confirmed sighting in 1896, though several "unconfirmed detections" happened in 1986-1998, and a single male was seen by qualified observers in the same area in 1995. The species's forest habitat has been eliminated for cattle ranching or otherwise degraded by introduced ungulates, which also spread alien plants and disease-carrying mosquitos. Predation and competition with introduced birds and insects has also been suggested.[53]
Last confirmed sighting in 1899, with unconfirmed records in 1984-1998 and 2007. The more recent observations could actually belong to the Kauaʻi ʻamakihi. It possibly declined due to habitat degradation by introduced ungulates, disease, predation and competition with exotic birds and insects.[54]
Last recorded in 1988, with some dubious audio taken afterward. It could have declined due to habitat loss, invasive diseases, and conflict and competition with introduced species.[55]
Last collected in 1968 and last well-documented observation, of two birds, in 1985. It may have been driven extinct by disease spread by introduced mosquitos.[56]
Hawaii (island), Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai
Last recorded with certainty in Hawaii in 1987, and in Kauai in 1989, though there were some unconfirmed sightings after 1995. It disappeared from Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai between 1899 and 1931. It may have been driven extinct by habitat loss, introduced rats, and malaria spread by exotic mosquitos.[57]
^The source gives "11,700 calendar yr b2k (before CE 2000)". But "BP" means before 1950 CE. Therefore, the Holocene began 11,650 BP. Doing the math, that is c. 9700 BCE.
^This source from 2003 says, that "the last observed date [is] given as unknown, but according to Frank Howarth was more than 80 years ago." Thus, the date of last observation is unknown, but possibly before 1923.
^This source from 2003 says, that "the last observed date [is] given as unknown but according to Frank Howarth the last collection was more than 80 years ago." Thus, the date of last collection is unknown, but possibly before 1923.
^Ziegler, A. C., Howarth, F. G., & Simmons, N. B. (2016). A second endemic land mammal for the Hawaiian Islands: a new genus and species of fossil bat (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae). American Museum novitates, nº 3854.
^Paxinos, Ellen E., et al. (2002) mtDNA from fossils reveals a radiation of Hawaiian geese recently derived from the Canada goose (Branta canadensis). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 99, no 3, p. 1399-1404.
^ abYoung, H. G., Tonge, S. J., & Hume, J. P. (1996). Review of Holocene wildfowl extinctions. Wildfowl, 47(47), 167-181.
^Iwaniuk, A.N., Olson, S.L., & James, H.F. (2009). Extraordinary cranial specialization in a new genus of extinct duck (Aves: Anseriformes) from Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. Zootaxa.
^Burney, D. A., James, H. F., Burney, L. P., Olson, S. L., Kikuchi, W., Wagner, W. L., ... & Nishek, R. (2001). Fossil evidence for a diverse biota from Kaua‘i and its transformation since human arrival. Ecological Monographs, 71(4), 615-641.
^ abcdefOlson, Storrs; James, Helen (1991). "Descriptions of Thirty-Two New Species of Birds from the Hawaiian Islands Part I. Non-Passeriformes". Ornithological Monographs. 7 (45): 1–88. doi:10.2307/40166794. JSTOR40166794.
^James, H. F., Stafford, T. W., Steadman, D. W., Olson, S. L., Martin, P. S., Jull, A. J., & McCoy, P. C. (1987). Radiocarbon dates on bones of extinct birds from Hawaii. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 84(8), 2350-2354.
^James, H. F., & Olson, S. L. (2003). A giant new species of nukupuu (Fringillidae: Drepanidini: Hemignathus) from the island of Hawaii. The Auk, 120(4), 970-981.