Skip to main content

Scientists discover 11th Archaeopteryx fossil, the oldest yet

Image result for SCIENTISTS DISCOVER 11TH ARCHAEOPTERYX FOSSIL, THE OLDEST YET


Paleontologists have discovered an 11th Archaeopteryx fossil. The 150-million-year-old dinosaur bones are the oldest yet to be attributed to the transitionary genus.

The discovery -- detailed this week in the journal PeerJ -- could help scientists more easily differentiate between the group of bird-like dinosaurs and their closest relatives.

The fossil was found in ancient rock in the Altmühl River valley of Northern Bavaria. The strata from which the latest specimen was excavated represents the Late or Upper Jurassic epoch.

"Specimens of Archaeopteryx are now known from three distinct rock units, which together cover a period of approximately 1 million years," Oliver Rauhut, a professor and paleontologist at Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, said in a news release.

The Archaeopteryx genus describes a group of dinosaurs that bridged the evolutionary gap between feathered dinosaurs and modern birds. The newest discovery boats several unique features, further expanding the diversity of an already varied group.

"Among other things, they reveal that Archaeopteryx was very similar to advanced predatory dinosaurs in many respects," Rauhut said.

Differentiating between the transitionary genus and its closest relatives, non-avialan theropod dinosaurs and basal birds, remains difficult. But scientists believe their analysis of the 11th Archaeopteryx specimen offers a more definitive way to identify members of the genus.

In taking stock of the attributes that define the Archaeopteryx genus, scientists realized the first-ever Archaeopteryx fossil, the Haarlem specimen, discovered in 1861, does not really belong to the group.

Though scientists may now have an easier team identifying Archaeopteryx members, the genus remains an unusually varied collection. Some scientists suggest the diversity is a result of intraspecific developmental polymorphism, variety within each species. Others suggest the varied nature of the group is a product of evolutionary experimentation.

"The high degree of variation in the teeth is particularly striking -- none of the specimens shows the same pattern of dentition as any other, which could reflect differences in diet," Rauhut said. "This is very reminiscent of the famous case of Darwin's finks on the Galapagos, which show remarkable variation in their beak shapes."

Some scientists believe these transitionary bird-like dinosaur species may have even evolved their unique attributes on a variety of islands.

"In that case, the Archaeopteryx fossils could represent a species flock, a Jurassic analog of Darwin's finches," Rauhut said.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dua to recite in second ten days of ramadan

Second Ashra – Days Of Forgiveness Forgiveness is to do Astaghfaar for all sins committed so far by Muslims especially in the second Ashra of Ramadan and to repent unto Allah. Do Astaghfaar, feel sorry, desist from committing it again, and make sure not to fall for the same sin again.Dua for the second Ashra is: Translation:   “I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed” –     Days Of Maghfirah These are the days of Maghfirah and in the mid of Ramadan Allah’s forgiveness is at peak. He forgives only those who prostrate in front of Him with ashamed spirit and pledge in heart not to do the same again ever. Do Tauba as Allah loves those who repent on their sins, verily He is the only forgiver. –     Be Kind – Forgive All While you are asking for Allah’s forgiveness in this Ashra make sure that you do the same to our fellow Muslims by adopting alike trait of your Lord and let forgive them for all th...
2 comments
Read more

10 Oldest Manuscripts of The Quran

Allah said in Surah al-Hijr, Ayah 09: Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its Guardian. And undoubtedly, the present-day Quran is same as the Quran which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In this post, we take a look at some of the oldest manuscripts of the Quran, including ones that date back to the days of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. 10 Oldest Manuscripts of The Quran 1. Birmingham Quran Manuscript In 2015, at the University of Birmingham, scientists found an old Quranic manuscript on parchment, using clearly legible Arabic Hijazi script. It is said to be one of the oldest manuscripts, and it dates back to sometime between 568 and 645 CE, that is, probably sometime during the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself. 2. Sana’a Quran Manuscript The Sana’a Quran manuscript was found in Yemen in 1972 during the restoration of the Great Masjid of Sana’a. The manuscript is written on parchmen...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cry Out For Him – Allah Loves Your Tears!

There are many great virtues for crying out of fear from Allah. Allah praised some of His Prophets, then explained the reason for the praise as in His saying: When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping. (Quran: 19: 58) Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: One who weeps out of fear of Allah, will not enter the Hell till milk returns back in the udder; and the dust raised on account of fighting in the path of Allah and the smoke of Hell will never exist together. (At-Tirmidhi) The Prophet said: Seven people Allah will give them His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of Resurrection): And they are: … and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Ibn Abbas reported: “I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: Two eyes will never be touched by the fire of Hell; an eye which weeps out of Fear of...
Post a Comment
Read more