Relationships between Moas and Plants
Moas were common and widespread in pre-Polynesian New Zealand. They were most concentrated in the lowlands but ranged into the mountains with Megalapteryx didinus reaching at least 1800 m. This contribution examines niche separation between species of moa, the evolutionary effects of moas on plant species, and the effects of mammals and moas on New Zealand vegetation. The aim is to establish the extent to which mammals are ecologically equivalent to moas.