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What evidence suggests to researchers that birds and dinosaurs evolved from a common ancestor?
First of all, there are noticeable skeletal similarities between birds and the carnivorous dinosaurs known as theropods. Some of the smaller theropods such as archeopteryx, microraptor, and velociraptor (which was much smaller than was shown in Juraasic Park) were extremely birdlike, not just in their skeletons but in possessing large feathers identical to the flight feathers of birds. Furthermore, soft tissue samples have been found preserved in tyrannosaurus bones. Chemical analysis of the preserved proteins finds that they are very similar to bird proteins.
Contrary to the popular depiction of dinosaurs carrying their arms with the "palms" facing downward or backward, they actually carried them facing inward and could not turn the wrists to make them face downward. Overall these posture in many dinosaurs was similar the the posture of bird wings when at rest.
What else can I help you with?
Did dinosaurs morph into early birds?
Yes, scientific research suggests that birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs. Fossil evidence supports the theory that early birds evolved from small, feathered dinosaurs over millions of years.
Did a supernova kill the dinosaurs?
Probably not. Current evidence suggests that the dinosaurs were wiped out by an asteroid impact, possibly in combination with an outburst of volcanic activity.
Did dinosaur only live in the forest?
No, evidence suggests that dinosaurs lived in deserts and on plains as well as in forests.
How did megalosaurus raise their young?
Fossil evidence suggests that most dinosaurs (excluding sauropods) raised their young. There is no evidence I know of that proves Megalosaurus specifically did, but they probably did.
Are dinosaurs extinct land reptiles?
Current research suggests dinosaurs are more closely related to birds than land reptiles. There is fossil evidence of dinosaurs with feathers, and it has even been speculated that dinosaurs are warm blooded, unlike reptiles.
Why do some believe the dinosaur is the first ancestor of the bird?
Dinosaurs are not the first ancestors of birds. The first ancestor would be the ancestor of all life on earth. However, birds are a branch of the dinosaurs. Many dinosaurs, particularly a group of mostly small predators called maniraptorans, have very birdlike skeletal structure. Furthermore, a growing number of dinosaur species are now known to have had feathers. Recently, chemical analysis of soft tissue preserved in a T-rex fossil found proteins nearly identical to those found in birds. Some dinosaur fossils have been earthed with evidence that they had a complex respiratory system like that of a bird. Other evidence, such as a four-chambered heart, clues in bone microstructure, and indicators of active lifestyles suggests that many dinosaurs were warm-blooded.
Are whales related to dinosaurs?
Very distantly. Whales are mammals, and both mammals and dinosaurs share a common reptilian ancestor that lives in the carboniferous period.
What evidence suggests that dinosaurs were driven to extinction by a meteor strike?
The fact that they died roughly at the same time and a massive crater in Arizona, dated to the time they died, if I'm not mistaken.
Did dinosaurs live in jungles and forest areas?
Yes, dinosaurs lived in a variety of environments, including jungles and forest areas. Fossil evidence suggests that dinosaurs inhabited lush, vegetated habitats like forests where food sources were abundant. Different species of dinosaurs adapted to different environments based on their feeding habits and other ecological needs.
When did seals come?
Recent molecular evidence suggests that pinnipeds (finned feet), of which seals are a part, evolved from a bearlike ancestor about 23 million years ago. They were originally land mammals exclusively.
How does embryology provide evidence in support of the theory of evolution?
Embryology provides evidence for evolution by showing similarities in the early stages of development among different species. This suggests a common ancestry and supports the idea that organisms have evolved from a shared ancestor over time.
Do dinosaurs have could or warm bould?
It is unknown whether dinosaurs were warm or cold blooded. Evidence suggests the former, because some lived in cold climates year round, they grew at a similar rate to warm blooded animals, and their descendants, birds, are warm blooded.
