Palaeontologists in China have been unearthing some of the most exciting dinosaur fossil discoveries made in recent history. It has long been accepted that Archaeoptyryx was the most primitive bird in the fossil record. However, an increasing number of feathered dinosaur species over 150 million years old have been discovered at dig sites all over China. These remarkably well-preserved fossils are the first irrefutable evidence that dinosaurs not only possessed feathers, but that in some cases these feathers were arguably used solely for ornamentation.
The earliest known example of ornamental display feathers is found in the species Epidexipteryx, a pigeon sized, flightless species discovered in Inner Mongolia. This exceptionally strange looking creature had a body covering very similar to down, and featured four, absurdly long, rigid tail feathers. According to Dr. Angela Milner, associate keeper of paleontology at the Natural History Museum in London, this species demonstrates that "feathers were likely used for ornamentation many millions of years before they were modified for flight." While species such as these will shed a great deal of light on the evolutionary transition from dinosaur to bird, this could also lead to a lot of speculation about mate choice and sexual selection among dinosaur species. As a side note, it will also be interesting to see how these new images of colorful, fuzzy dinosaurs will permeate popular culture.
Links to the interesting articles featuring this information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8273938.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7684796.stm
Posted by: Deysha Rivera (3)
This blows away all the plastic dinosaurs I had when I was a kid. I feel deceived! Flight has obviously allowed birds to fill a unique niche, but it is interesting to discover evidence that points the evolution of feathers is linked to sexual selection. The discovery of transition fossils is always exciting. On a related note: Permeating popular culture may take awhile I think considering even with such a discovery, "Intelligent Design" seems to be maintaining a strong foothold in American culture. What do you think? Will discoveries such as these make an impact on anti-evolutionist thought?
ReplyDeleteposted by: Jess Bouchard
Thanks for the comment Jess. I, too, feel deceived by modern commercialism. Down with plastic dinosaurs!
ReplyDeleteAs for as intelligent design goes: it would be my hope that transitional evolutionary discoveries such as these continue to refute this idea. I think you would be surprised at how stubborn people can be. However, it would certainly seem that evolution is turning way more "hard evidence" than intelligent design at this point.
Deysha
Finding the missing link between dinosaurs and birds is very exciting! More evidence for evolution.
ReplyDeleteIs it known if only the males had the colorful, ornament feathers (to attract mates) or if both genders had ornamentation? Could the feathers serve any other purpose?
-Tricia Carlson
The researches are almost one hundred percent certain the feathers are solely for ornamental purposes based on their rigidity and absurd length. There are also different "types" of feathers that serve different functions. I don't believe I am knowledgeable enough about feathers to explain it, but it is not the type of feather used in either insulation or flight.
ReplyDeleteDeysha
Nice pick with this article! Were you able find out how they decided that the fur was an ornamentation? How were they able to figure out the colors on the dinosaur? I must say that picture is awesome and it would have been great to be able to see that in person!
ReplyDeleteAlex Bourdois
This is a really interesting article, I was excited to hear that they're finally starting to put together the missing pieces of the puzzle. How did scientists go about proving the existence of feathers and down, was there fossil evidence for this? Is their any indication that these birds had different coloration or feather patterns between male and females?
ReplyDeletePosted by Heather Gore
I am not sure how much of the coloration is artistic license and how much was real. It is my understanding, though, that the fossils they are digging up in China are some of the best preserved fossils ever documented.
ReplyDeleteDeysha