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Though we’ve made huge strides in evolutionary biology thus far, there clearly is so much more that we do not know or could not even grasp the concept of. And this recent development is the perfect example.
Scientists have been aware for a while that chickens and ostriches are the closest living relatives of the Tyrannosaurus rex.
Now, an exciting new fossil has provided further evidence to this theory.
The fossil was recently discovered and named Fujianvenator prodigiosus, and its discovery could potentially answer some of the mystery surrounding bird evolution.
Fujianvenator prodigiosus is estimated to be between 148 and 150 million years old, dating back to the late Jurassic period, which is believed to be when birds diverged from bipedal dinosaurs.
It was discovered in China and is believed to be the youngest known member of the Jurassic avialans group, comprised of both modern birds and bird-like dinosaurs.
The fossil shows a feathered dinosaur about the size of a pheasant, with an incredibly long lower leg that was twice as long as its thigh.
Researchers described it as having a “bizarre assembly of morphologies” – this phrase refers to the impact of evolutionary mosaicism which indicates change can occur at one point without simultaneous changes elsewhere in the body.
Not only does this new discovery shed light on evolutionary biology, it also provides insight into what kind of environment Fujianvenator prodigiosus lived in.
While other bird-like dinosaurs from this era are thought to have either flown or spent most their time up in trees, researchers believe that this specimen likely inhabited swampy ecosystems since turtle and ray-finned fish fossils were found near it.
A reconstruction image created by researchers shows what Fujianvenator prodigiosus may have looked like: A feathered dinosaur with a tail (only some parts were preserved).
Hailu You, Palaeontologist at Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing who co-authored the paper on this discovery said “Early bird evolution is complicated” – clearly indicating how difficult it can be for scientists to make sense of something so complex.
It’s possible that this creature was either a high speed runner or waded through wetland areas for food.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-7iXyYS0uw
