microrobert
05-06-2015, 04:10 AM
Feathery fossils peg early birds to even earlier date
http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/media/images/82788000/jpg/_82788977_life-reconstruct10-16-14-28-51.jpg
Scientists in China have described a new species of early bird, from two fossils with intact plumage dating to 130 million years ago.
Based on the age of the surrounding rocks, this is the earliest known member of the clade that produced today's birds: Ornithuromorpha.
It pushes back the branching-out of this evolutionary group by at least five million years.
The little bird appears to have been a wader, capable of nimble flight.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32596726
http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/media/images/82788000/jpg/_82788977_life-reconstruct10-16-14-28-51.jpg
Scientists in China have described a new species of early bird, from two fossils with intact plumage dating to 130 million years ago.
Based on the age of the surrounding rocks, this is the earliest known member of the clade that produced today's birds: Ornithuromorpha.
It pushes back the branching-out of this evolutionary group by at least five million years.
The little bird appears to have been a wader, capable of nimble flight.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32596726