New Chinese fossil reveals distinct dinosaur flight evolution path
Researchers in China describe a new feathered dinosaur species that lived between 145 and 100 million years ago.
Discovery of new species
A local farmer unearthed the specimen which measures 57 centimetres in length. An international team from China, Italy and Slovakia named the creature Norellraptor barsboldi. The fossil is well preserved enough to show feathers on its limbs.
Evidence for multiple flight origins
This find adds evidence that birds and their closest relatives evolved flight several times rather than once. Microraptorines are small meat-eating dinosaurs weighing around one kilogram that roamed Liaoning province. Hundreds of similar specimens have been found in this region previously.
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