Elephant bird "A. maximus" and "D. stirtoni" were revised to 540 and 730 kg, respectively. Four species are usually accepted in the genus "Aepyornis" today, but the validity of some is disputed, with numerous authors treating them all in just one species, "A. maximus". Up to three species are generally included in "Mullerornis". Several ratites outside of Madagascar have been posited as "aepyornithid"-like and could potentially make this clade considerably more speciose. These include "Eremopezus" from the Eocene of North Africa, unnamed Canary Island remains and several Neogene taxa in Eurasia. "Aepyornis maximus" is commonly known as the 'elephant bird', a term
Joint Services Expedition to Elephant Island for the Directorate of Overseas Surveys. The expedition was transported to and from the island by HMS "Endurance". During the course of the expedition several mountains were climbed for the first time and numerous place-names were recommended for geographic features on the island. Joint Services Expedition to Elephant Island The Joint Services Expedition to Elephant Island was a British scientific surveying and mountaineering expedition to Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. It took place from December 1970 to March 1971. Except for one civilian from the British Antarctic Survey, the 14 participants were serving members of the