Date: November 28, 2017
Source: University of Bristol
Summary:
Scientists have revealed new
details about dinosaur feathers and enabled scientists to further refine what
is potentially the most accurate depiction of any dinosaur species to date.
A University of Bristol-led study
has revealed new details about dinosaur feathers and enabled scientists to
further refine what is potentially the most accurate depiction of any dinosaur
species to date.
Birds are the direct descendants
of a group of feathered, carnivorous dinosaurs that, along with true birds, are
referred to as paravians -- examples of which include the
infamous Velociraptor.
Researchers examined, at high
resolution, an exceptionally-preserved fossil of the crow-sized paravian
dinosaur Anchiornis -- comparing its fossilised feathers to those of
other dinosaurs and extinct birds.
The feathers around the body
of Anchiornis, known as contour feathers, revealed a newly-described,
extinct, primitive feather form consisting of a short quill with long,
independent, flexible barbs erupting from the quill at low angles to form two
vanes and a forked feather shape.
No comments:
Post a Comment