150-million-year-old Chinese bird fossil shows early species lost ability to fly
Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences report finding a 150-million-year-old bird fossil in China that reveals an early species which had lost the ability to fly.
Fossil reveals dinosaur-like features
The newly identified species Yuezhuornis yangyuanensis possessed sharp teeth and a claw resembling those of dinosaurs. Researchers describe the creature as being roughly the size of a crow. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about how early birds developed their physical traits.
Evidence found in Late Jurassic
The fossil dates to the Late Jurassic period between 150 and 148 million years ago. It was uncovered by teams from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology and the Fujian Institute of Geological Sciences. The find suggests ancient birds adapted to ground life rather than focusing solely on flight.
Study published in Nature
A study describing this crow-sized creature was published in the journal Nature. The research indicates that early bird evolution involved adapting to various environments instead of only improving flying skills. This evidence shows the evolutionary path of these animals was more complex than scientists once believed.
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