A new subfossil ground thrush (Turdidae: Geokichla) from Mauritius, Mascarene Islands

Summary. Geokichla ground thrushes (Turdidae) are widely distributed, in Siberia, South-East Asia, Indonesia, the Indian Subcontinent, Nicobar and Andaman Islands, and continental Africa. Based on recently discovered subfossil remains, I describe a Geokichla from Mauritius, a new genus for the Mascarene Islands, which presumably became extinct historically, although it seems never to have been reported in the literature. The new species appears closely related to the extant Orange-headed Thrush G. citrina of South-East Asia, so probably island-hopped via the Nicobar or Andaman Islands to Mauritius during low sea level stands, as did some other Mauritian endemic birds. Like Geokichla in general, the Mauritius species probably inhabited the understorey or forest floor, and as a result disappeared due to the introduction of invasive species, especially rats, by humans.