Archaeopteryx Revealed: A Major Breakthrough in Flying Bird's Anatomy
Evidence unveiled indicating that Archaeopteryx had the capacity for flight.
Get the lowdown on the latest revelations about the ancient bird Archaeopteryx, dubbed the first bird. This fascinating creature lived around 150 million years ago, and all known specimens have been discovered near Bavaria, Germany. The most recent discovery, analyzed by a team from the Field Museum in Chicago, has provided some groundbreaking findings.
This well-preserved specimen, known as the "Chicago Archaeopteryx," sheds new light on the bird's physical characteristics and abilities. In a report published in the journal "Nature," the team shares their findings, which include the presence of tertiary feathers, a critical component for flight.
Feathers of Flight Confirmed
Until now, it was believed that Archaeopteryx only had hand and arm wings, or primary and secondary feathers, and shoulder feathers. However, this new research reveals that the bird also possessed tertiary feathers, similar to modern flight feathers. These feathers fan out from the elbows and lay against the body during flight, allowing a smooth transition of air between the wings and body, improving aerodynamics.
"Compared to most living birds, Archaeopteryx had a very long humerus," explains lead author Jingmai O'Connor. "If air flows through the gap between the long primary and secondary feathers of the wing and the rest of the body, it disrupts lift and prevents flight. But with these tertiary feathers, that gap is closed."
The existence of these feathers has been a controversial topic, but the "Chicago Archaeopteryx" specimen offers irrefutable evidence of their presence. Importantly, these feathers are absent in feathered dinosaurs, which are closely related to birds but are not birds themselves. Their wing feathers end at the elbow.
A Multi-Purpose Fowl
The tertiary feathers may have had other functions, the team speculates - they take up more surface area compared to today's birds, which might suggest a role in visual communication or aesthetic displays. Furthermore, the animal's 24 tail vertebrae indicate a longer tail than previously believed, suggesting its potential for maneuverability in the air.
Other intriguing features discovered in the "Chicago Archaeopteryx" include a freely movable little finger and the presence of pads on its toes, suggesting it could also walk on the ground and potentially climb trees.
In summary, this latest discovery has bolstered our understanding of Archaeopteryx's anatomy and its abilities as one of the first flying creatures. Advanced imaging techniques, such as CT scans and ultraviolet lighting, have been instrumental in the revealing these new insights.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- Walter Willems, dpa
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx
Topics:
- Fossils
- Paleontology
- Birds
- Dinosaurs
- Evolution
In light of the latest findings, Archaeopteryx, often regarded as the first bird, was not only equipped with hand and arm wings but also tertiary feathers, a crucial element for flight found in modern avian species. Beyond its impact on the bird's aerodynamics, the presence of these feathers might have played a role in visual communication or aesthetic displays (Environment, Environmental Science, Science). As for its adaptability, the long tail vertebrae found in the "Chicago Archaeopteryx" indicate potential maneuverability in the air, while its freely movable little finger and toe pads suggest ground walking and tree climbing abilities (Technology, Space-and-Astronomy). The study of Archaeopteryx provides a captivating glimpse into the evolutionary leap from dinosaurs to modern birds.
