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When does the fossil record indicate when birds first began to fly?
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Why are fewer bird fossils found in the fossil record than those of reptiles and mammals?
This is because birds have lighter, more fragile bones, therefore they decay much faster.
How many transitional forms does a fossil record contain?
"Transitional form" is an arbitrary term because every organism, whether living or fossil, is a link in the chain between an ancestral organism and a descendent. The break into new species is gradual rather than sudden. Every fossil is therefore a "transitional form" in the strict sense.In general, "transitional form" is used specifically to link one modern species with its prehistoric ancestor. In some cases, a form may not be a specific ancestor of an identifiable living species, but it may have general characteristics that indicate the evolutionary path that was being followed. E.g. the bird fossil Confuciusornis may not be ancestral to living birds, but it still indicates the direction of evolution from earlier repties.There are abundant transitional forms that illustrate e.g. the transition from fish to land animals; the transition from amphibians to reptiles; the transition from dinosaurs to birds; and the transition from early apes to humans.Because the definition of "transitional form" in the narrow sense (a transition between two set organisms) is variable, it's not possible to give a strict number.
Are birds dinosaurs?
There has been research done that indicates that birds have evolved from dinosaurs. and mounting evidence shows that theropod dinosaurs are the ancestors of birds. Evidence includes countless skeletal similarities and evidence of feathers in many fossils. Feathers were thought to originally developed for warmth, and eventually evolved into flight aids.In face of this many scientists do consider birds to be descended from dinosaurs, if not a branch of them.Answer:Birds do have many features in common with theropods (bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs) which suggests that they had a common ancestor. We dont know that this common ancestor was a dinosaur though. It may well have been a bird (see related links). Looking back in time through the theropod fossil record, these dinosaurs appear to be more bird-like the further back in time you look. Raptors are known to have had feathers and were fairly bird-like, but Archaeopteryx was much more bird-like and lived much earlier and may have been an ancestor of the raptors. There is also a controversial fossil called Protoavis that was dated even earlier and was more bird-like still, with hollow bones like modern birds.So birds may have been around throughout the mesozoic era and even pre-date the dinosaurs. We have little record of them though because their hollow bones decompose very easily so are less likely to leave fossils. We do have some very ancient bird footprints though (see 3rd link).It may be more accurate to call the theropods flightless birds, rather than calling birds dinosaurs.
From which group of dinosaurs did birds evolve from?
Theropods, a type of bipedal, carnivorous dinosaur.Answer:Possibly none. Birds may have evolved from a creature, likely a reptile, that pre-dated the dinosaurs. Birds do have many features in common with theropods (bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs) which suggests that they had a common ancestor. We dont know that this common ancestor was a dinosaur though. It may well have been a bird (see related links). Looking back in time through the theropod fossil record, these dinosaurs appear to be more bird-like the further back in time you look. Raptors are known to have had feathers and were fairly bird-like, but Archaeopteryx was much more bird-like and lived much earlier and may have been an ancestor of the raptors. There is also a controversial fossil called Protoavis that was dated even earlier and was more bird-like still, with hollow bones like modern birds.So birds may have been around throughout the mesozoic era and pre-date the dinosaurs. We have little record of them though because their more fragile, hollow bones reduce the chances of any fossils surviving to the present day.
Did dinosaurs evolve from birds?
No, its actually the other way around: birds evolved from dinosaurs. However, some new hypotheses have been raised that suggest that the raptor dinosaurs (such as Velociraptor and Deinonychus) were actually a type of flightless bird. This hasn't been confirmed yet, but birds still evolved from dinosaurs, specifically the theropods.Answer:Birds do have many features in common with theropods (bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs) which suggests that they had a common ancestor. It is generally believed that this common ancestor was a dinosaur but it may well have been a bird (see related links). Looking back in time through the theropod fossil record, these dinosaurs appear to be more bird-like the further back in time you look. Raptors are known to have had feathers and were fairly bird-like, but Archaeopteryx was much more bird-like and lived much earlier and may have been an ancestor of the raptors. There is also a controversial fossil called Protoavis that was dated even earlier and was more bird-like still, with hollow bones like modern birds.So ancient birds may have existed before the dinosaurs and theropods may be descended from them. We have little record of these ancient birds though because their more fragile, hollow bones reduce the chances of any fossils surviving to the present day.
What has the author Hildegarde Howard written?
Hildegarde Howard has written: 'Fossil birds; with especial reference to the birds of Rancho La Brea' -- subject(s): Paleontology, Birds, Fossil, Fossil Birds 'Postcranial elements of the extinct condor Breagyps clarki (Miller)' -- subject(s): Paleontology, Breagyps clarki 'Fossil birds' -- subject(s): Birds, Fossil, Paleontology, Fossil Birds 'Fossil birds from the Anza-Borrego desert' -- subject(s): Paleontology, Birds, Fossil, Fossil Birds 'Pliocene birds from Chihuahua, Mexico'
Why are birds poorly represented in the fossil record?
In order for birds to fly they need light and often hallow bones. Because of this they can easily be broken and do not easily form fossils.
What has the author Tommy Tyrberg written?
Tommy Tyrberg has written: 'Pleistocene birds of the Palearctic' -- subject(s): Birds, Fossil, Fossil Birds, Paleontology
What group of vertebrates is the only one with feathers?
While the birds are the only currently living animals (specifically vertebrates) with feathers, the fossil record clearly shows that some species of the reptiles (specifically the dinosaurs) had feathers (and these are the ancestors of the birds).
Why are fewer bird fossils found in the fossil record than those of reptiles and mammals?
This is because birds have lighter, more fragile bones, therefore they decay much faster.
Why were the dinosaurs thought to go extinct?
They were thought to have gone extinction because they disappeared from the fossil record around 65 million years ago. It is now known that birds are the only dinosaurs to have survived.
What is the specific fossil name linking reptiles and birds?
ARCHEOPTERIX
Are there any fossil birds that retain more reptilian features than birds that are now living?
yes there are.
What has the author Robert M Chandler written?
Robert M. Chandler has written: 'The wing of Titanis walleri (Aves:Phorusrhacidae) from the late Blancan of Florida' -- subject(s): Birds, Fossil, Fossil Birds, Paleontology
Which trait suggests that crocodiles and birds share a common ancestor?
Both birds and crocodiles have a four-chambered heart and a system of air sacs for breathing not found in mammals or non-crocodilian reptiles. The fossil record also indicates a lineage from archosaurs for both.
What did fossil fule animals look like?
They looked like fish and birds.
What three examples do scientists use to prove evolution?
The divergence among the same types of animals, like pigeons and penguins are both types of birds... The fossil record showing the transition between animals... The fact that fossils are found in order, mammals only above birds, birds above reptiles, reptiles above fish, never a rabbit under a dinosaur
