Dryolimnas
| Dryolimnas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dryolimnas cuvieri | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Gruiformes |
| Family: | Rallidae |
| Genus: | Dryolimnas Sharpe, 1893 |
| Species | |
|
1 living, 2 recently extinct | |
The genus Dryolimnas comprises birds in the rail family. The Réunion rail, a member of this genus, became extinct in the 17th century. The white-throated rail of Aldabra is the last surviving flightless bird in the western Indian Ocean.[1] They are mostly found on Malabar Island, but can also be found on Polymnieli Island and other islands. An undescribed extinct taxon, sometimes mentioned as Sauzier's wood-rail, is known from Mauritius. Though much larger the skeletons of these rails show similarities to the rails of the genus Lewinia. Therefore the two genera were lumped at times.
Species
- White-throated rail or Cuvier's rail, Dryolimnas cuvieri
- Aldabra white-throated rail, Dryolimnas cuvieri aldabranus
- Assumption white-throated rail, Dryolimnas cuvieri abbotti - extinct (early 20th century)
- Réunion rail, Dryolimnas augusti - extinct (late 17th century)