Unraveling the Flight of Archaeopteryx: New Evidence Emerge
Archaeopteryx's flight capabilities reinforced by fresh findings
Get ready for a fascinating dip into the past as we explore the latest analysis of the first known bird, Archaeopteryx! This feathered beast lived about 150 million years ago, and all 14 known specimens were found near Bavaria. The most recent findings about its flying abilities, published in the journal "Nature", are convincing - it's about the magic of specific feathers that could've helped Archaeopteryx take off!
The specimen, a remarkable find owned privately for decades, landed in the hands of the Field Museum in Chicago in 2022. Named the Chicago Archaeopteryx, it's mostly intact - missing just one finger. Lead author Jingmai O'Connor excitedly shares, "Our specimen is so well preserved and so well prepared that we get tons of new information, from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail."
Fun Fact: A fossil recently found in Brazil has been classified as the oldest ant in the world!
This birdy fossil underwent some fancy analysis using micro-computed tomography with UV light, making the soft tissues visible. Groundbreaking, right? That's because the examination showed for the first time that Archaeopteryx had not only hand, arm, and shoulder feathers but also tertiary feathers, which resemble today's cover feathers. These tertiary feathers fan out from the elbows and help to close the gap between the long primary and secondary feathers of the wing and the rest of the body during flight. This gap, if left open, can disturb the lift and prevent the bird from flying.
These feathers were previously controversial, but thanks to O'Connor and her team, their existence is now confirmed! Interestingly, these feathers are absent in feathered dinosaurs but are present in flying birds. With those additional feathers, Archaeopteryx could now flap its wings to the skies!
The researchers believe these feathers might have had other functions as well, such as aiding in visual communication. However, the analysis of the bird's extremities also revealed pads on the toes and a longer-than-expected tail, which hint at a mixed lifestyle for this early flying bird, reminiscent of today's pigeons.
The Chicago Archaeopteryx had striking wings, but the most fascinating part is its flexible fingers and unique feathers that allowed it to fly. The fossil's three-dimensional preservation enabled detailed studies of its wings and other features essential for flight.
Fossils, Paleontology, Birds, Dinosaurs, Evolution - the world of history has a new story to tell thanks to this well-preserved relic!
[1] Hall, S. R., & Lingham-Soliar, T. (2017). The Evolution of Flying. The University of Chicago Press.
[2] Brusatte, S. L. (2018). The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World. Vintage.
- In the realm of Paleontology, the latest community policy might require studies on avian evolution, such as the development of feathers, to include discussions on tertiary feathers-fans of which can be seen in the Chicago Archaeopteryx-serving as an essential component facilitating flight efficiency, as well as potential roles in visual communication.
- As technology advances in the field of science, medical-conditions like those affecting birds' wings can be studied through innovative methods like micro-computed tomography, sparking further questions about the interplay of environment and evolution. For instance, researchers wonder how Archaeopteryx's transition from land to air may have been influenced by space-and-astronomy factors in its environment.
