The Atitlan grebe [1] [2] , or the large variegated grebe [3] ( lat. Podilymbus gigas ) is an extinct species of flightless water birds from the grebe family (Podicipedidae). It was endemic to Lake Atitlan in Guatemala .
| † Atitlan Grebe |
| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetric |
| Squad: | Perch-shaped ( Podicipediformes Sharpe, 1891 ) |
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| International Scientific Name |
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Podilymbus gigas Griscom , 1929 |
| Security status |
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Extinct speciesIUCN 3.1 Extinct : 22696577 |
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The length of the Atitlan grebe reached 46-50 cm. In appearance and voice, this grebe resembled a small variegated toadstool . Brown colors with white specks prevailed in color. The bottom is dark gray, also with white spots. The head is almost black, the neck is covered with dark brown specks in winter, white in summer. Legs gray. The color of the beak ranged from white (in winter) to brown (during the rest of the year). Pupils brown. Wings are underdeveloped. In one laying there were from 4 to 5 eggs.
The decrease in the number Atitlan grebe began in 1958. In 1960, small and large - billed perches were launched into Lake Atitlan, which destroyed the toadstool food - crabs and smaller fish, and also killed toadstools chicks. From 1960 to 1965, the number of toadstools decreased from 200 to 80 individuals. In 1966, a reserve was created, and the number of toadstools increased to 210, but in 1973 an earthquake occurred in Guatemala, which worsened the situation. By 1983, there were only 32 individuals of the Atitlan grebe. The last pair of grebes died in 1989, after which the Atitlan grebe was declared extinct.
