Northern Cassowary - Phylogeny

Phylogeny

Casuariidae is the family of the Northern Cassowary. There are only four members of this family, three of them are Cassowaries, and the other member is the only remaining species of Emu. As you can probably guess from the above information, all four species of bird are quite similar. Emus were formerly classified in a different family, until it was decided that they are alike enough to the Cassowaries that they could be classified in the same family. All four members of the Casuariidae family are large and also flightless birds. The Northern Cassowary has an analogous feature with the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri). The Northern Cassowary and the Emperor Penguin are indeed from separate families, though both of them possess wings, but incidentally cannot fly. The structure is the same: a forearm and finger-like bones that are covered by their wing. Although the two species are incredibly dissimilar, this similarity between them serves the same function. The Northern Cassowary and the Emu also share homologous features. For example, both the Northern Cassowary and the Emu have a blue patch of colour on their face/neck, but the functions of these differ. The Emu’s patch of fur is of a paler colour, and is used as a form of camouflage where it is located. The Northern Cassowary’s patch of blue is brighter, and is used for attracting mates.