Volia

Volia is an extinct genus of mekosuchine crocodylians from Fiji named in 2002.[1] It was around 2–3 metres (7–10 ft) long. Notwithstanding its comparatively small size, it was probably the apex predator of the Pleistocene ecosystems of Fiji.

For the Ukrainian political party with the same name, see Volia (party).

Volia
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene - Early Holocene
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae
Genus: †Volia
Molnar, Worthy & Willis, 2002
Species:
†V. athollandersoni
Binomial name
†Volia athollandersoni
Molnar, Worthy & Willis, 2002

Fossils of V. athollandersoni, the type and currently only known species, have been found in the Voli-Voli and Wainibuku Caves of Viti Levu Island. The holotype is housed in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[2] V. athollandersoni and the other large reptiles of Fiji may have been exterminated by human hunting soon after Fiji was colonized by ancient Polynesians.[1]

References
  1. Molnar, R.E.; Worthy, T.; Willis, P.M.A. 2002: An extinct Pleistocene endemic mekosuchine crocodylian from Fiji. Journal of vertebrate paleontology, 22: 612–628. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2002)022[0612:AEPEMC]2.0.CO;2
  2. "Volia athollandersoni; holotype". Collections Online. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
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