Evidence emerges suggesting Archaeopteryx possessed flying capabilities
Rewritten Article:
Peeping into the Past: New Evidence Reveals that Archaeopteryx Could Indeed Fly
Socialize LinkedIn Reddit Telegram Google
The age-old debate about whether the Archaeopteryx, a supposedly first bird that roamed the earth around 150 million years ago, could fly has stirred controversy for quite some time. But recent findings from a US research team have added fuel to the argument, suggesting that this ancient bird may have needed a set of special feathers to take its first flight.
Discovered in the Solnhofen in the Franconian Alb of Bavaria, the 14 known specimens of Archaeopteryx have been telling stories about their ancient lives. A detailed analysis of the smallest and best-preserved specimen is now shedding light on some intriguing aspects of this prehistoric bird.
This specimen, privately owned for decades, was acquired, prepared, and scrutinized by the Field Museum in Chicago in 2022. Except for a single finger, it is complete, offering a treasure trove of new insights.
"This specimen is so well-preserved and meticulously prepared that we’re getting tons of new information, from the beak's tip to the tail’s end," says leading researcher Jingmai O’Connor.
Fun Fact Oldest ant fossil unearthed in Brazilian highlands The fossil of the bird, roughly pigeon-sized, was carefully examined using micro-computed tomography and UV light, making the soft tissues visible for the first time. The analysis reveals that the prehistoric bird wasn't just endowed with hand and arm wings - also known as primary and secondary feathers - and shoulder feathers, but it also sported tertiary feathers, which resemble today's flight feathers. These tertiary feathers extend from the elbows and flatten against the body during flight.
"Elbow-long bones"
"Compared to most modern birds, Archaeopteryx had unusually long upper arm bones," explains O’Connor. "If you want to fly, this length can create a space between the long primary and secondary feathers of the wing and the rest of the body. Air flowing through this space disturbs lift and can hinder flight."
These gap issues are usually resolved by modern birds with suitable flight feathers. In the Case of the Archaeopteryx, the presented specimen features such feathers for the first time. "These feathers aren’t present in feathered dinosaurs, which are close relatives of birds but not birds themselves," concludes O’Connor. "Their wing feathers only extend up to the elbow." Unlike these dinosaurs, the Archaeopteryx was more likely to take flight.
Communication Feathers?
These feathers may have served additional functions, the team suspects. Given their larger surface area compared to modern birds’ plumage, these feathers might have played a role in visual communication among the animals.
It's interesting to note that, despite distinct wings, the analyses of the Chicago Archaeopteryx indicate the presence of pads on its toes. This suggests that the prehistoric bird spent time on the ground and might have even climbed trees, much like modern pigeons. This indicates a “mixed terrestrial and tree-associated habitat for this early flying bird,” they comment.
Did You Know? Spectacular fossil discovery in Brazil reveals 80-million-year-old bird perfectly preserved Additionally, the analyses reveal that the bird's tail was longer than previously believed. In fact, the Chicago Archaeopteryx possesses 24 tail vertebrae, compared to just 22 known so far.
Another intriguing feature is the bird's little finger, which appeared to be highly flexible.
Source: ntv.de, Walter Willems, dpa
- Fossils
- Paleontology
- Birds
- Dinosaurs
- Evolution
- The analysis of the tiny and well-preserved Archaeopteryx specimen, purchased by the Field Museum in Chicago in 2022, has revealed the presence of tertiary feathers, which are similar to modern flight feathers and extend from the elbows, suggesting that this ancient bird might have been capable of flying.
- The tertiary feathers found on the Archaeopteryx may have had additional functions beyond flight, as they have a larger surface area compared to modern birds' plumage, leading to speculation that they might have been involved in visual communication among these prehistoric animals.
- The discovery of tertiary feathers on the Archaeopteryx, feathers not present in feathered dinosaurs, adds support to the argument that this ancient bird was more inclined towards flight compared to its dinosaur ancestors, as these feathers help resolve the gap issues that could hinder flight in modern birds with long wing bones.
