Aphanapteryx

Taxobox
name = "Aphanapteryx"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Gruiformes
familia = Rallidae
genus = "Aphanapteryx"
genus_authority =
subdivision_ranks = species
subdivision = "A. bonasia"
"A. leguati"

"Aphanapteryx" is a small genus of extinct birds of the rail family, endemic to the Mascarenes.

The two flightless island species were

* Red Rail or Mauritian Red Rail, "Aphanapteryx bonasia" which became extinct on Mauritius ca 1700
* Rodrigues Rail or Leguat’s Rail "Aphanapteryx leguati" which became extinct some time after 1730 on Rodrigues in the Mascarene Islands.

Both species were readily attracted by red objects and made excellent eating, factors which ensured their downfall.

References

*cite book|author=Barry Taylor|coauthors=Ber van Perlo|title=Rails: A Guide to the Rails, Crakes, Gallinules and Coots of the World|isbn=0300077580|publisher=Yale University Press|date=1998