Tag Archives: feathered

Discover a New Feathered Dinosaur from China Featuring a Peacock-Like Tail

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A newly discovered genus and species of the four-winged Penaraptor dinosaur, which thrived during the Early Cretaceous period in northern China, offers fresh insights into the evolution of birds from their dinosaur ancestors, according to paleontologist Dr. Xin Shu from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Changzhou Saurus sinensis. Image credit: Connor Ashbridge / CC BY 4.0.

The recently identified dinosaur species existed in what is now China approximately 120 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous period.

Scientifically named Changzhou Saurus sinensis, this remarkable creature measured about 34 cm (13 inches) in length, making it one of the smallest known non-avian theropods.

Despite its diminutive size, Changzhou Saurus sinensis displayed a combination of anatomical features found across various branches of the bird-like dinosaur family tree.

It is believed that Changzhou Saurus sinensis represents early members of the Deinonychosaurus lineage, a subset of pennaraptor dinosaurs that includes both dromaeosaurs and troodontids.

“The Penaraptoridae family comprises several recently discovered smaller clades (such as Unenlaginae, Microraptoridae, Scansoliopteridae, Anchiornitidae, and Halskaraptrinae) along with four established major groups (Oviraptorosauridae, Dromaeosauridae, Troodontidae, and Ornithidae),” Xu stated in the study.

“In the past three decades, significant fossil discoveries from newly recognized minor clades as well as well-established major pennalaptorian groups have effectively bridged the morphological gap among major pennalaptorian lineages, provided the oldest known fossil record of feathers, shown the earliest examples of theropod flight, revealed unexpected morphological and ecological adaptations, and demonstrated the rapid dispersal of pennaraptorans during the mid-Jurassic period.”

“Remarkably, these fossils significantly enhance our understanding of bird origins, indicating that plumed feathers, aerodynamic behavior, and other characteristics once thought exclusive to birds are also present in other pennaraptoran groups.”

“Nevertheless, many critical questions remain unanswered, particularly those pertaining to the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships, behaviors, and ecological characteristics of penalaraptors, as well as the interpretation of individual morphological traits.”

Holotype specimen of Changzhou Saurus sinensis slabs and counterslabs. Image credit: Xing Xu, doi: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.260616.

The fossilized remains of Changzhou Saurus sinensis were unearthed in the Jiufodang Formation located in the fossil-rich western Liaoning Province.

This specimen, preserved in slabs and counterslabs, represents an almost complete skeleton, featuring extensive feathers across its body.

Changzhou Saurus sinensis boasted about 16 elongated tail feathers, approximately four times the length of its femur, akin to the ornamental tail feathers seen in peacocks.

This dinosaur also possessed unusually large wings, with primary flight feathers measuring around 12 cm (4.7 inches) in length, considerably exceeding those of other known non-avian penaraptornids.

This discovery implies that the development of feathered wing areas and arm lengths may not have occurred simultaneously, challenging previously held notions about the evolution of flight-related structures.

Notably, the legs featured large feathers, reinforcing evidence that some bird-like dinosaurs had a unique four-winged body plan.

“This finding underscores the intricate nature of early penaraptornian evolution and raises several theoretical and methodological questions in penalaptorian research,” Dr. Xu remarked in the study.

“These questions pertain to how to establish a robust Penaraptorian phylogeny, infer the aerial behavior and ecological habitats of early-diverging Penaraptornians, and accurately define plumage and birds.”

This study has been published online in the Asian Vertebrates.

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Shin Shu. 2026. A new feathered dinosaur from northern China dating back to the Early Cretaceous. This research highlights the complexities of early Penaraptornian evolution and discusses several related conceptual and methodological challenges. Spinal Paralysis in press. doi: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.260616

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils Indicate That Feathered Creatures Flew Like Chickens

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In 1861, researchers found Archeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur, in 150-million-year-old limestone in Solnhofen, Germany. At that time, they were unaware that this fossilized skeleton—and subsequent finds—would provide critical evidence for evolutionary theory, demonstrating that birds indeed descended from dinosaurs.

“They’re maximizing their existence,” remarked Jinmai O’Connor, a paleontologist at Chicago’s open-air museums.

For more than 164 years, scientists have closely examined all available specimens. Thus, one might assume that such well-researched fossil species would yield no further surprises. However, a recent paper published in the journal Nature on Wednesday by Dr. O’Connor and his research team unveiled new details about soft tissues and skeletal structures from a newly identified specimen dubbed the Chicago Archeopteryx. Their findings could offer insights into short flights and clarify how feathered dinosaurs evolved to move from the ground.

Dr. O’Connor noted that for a long time, it has been challenging to understand the flight capabilities and environmental adaptations of Archeopteryx. Many specimens are flattened due to geological processes, which complicates the identification of key skeletal details. While earlier researchers and most modern experts agree the species likely achieved flight, certain anatomical features prompt paleontologists to seek additional data.

The latest specimens acquired by the Field Museum in 2022 and published in 2024 have enabled Dr. O’Connor’s team to begin addressing some of the anatomical uncertainties.

When the fossil arrived at the museum, it was not clearly visible. The specimen matched the color of the surrounding rocks, making most of the soft tissues difficult to discern, according to Dr. O’Connor.

Researchers illuminated the fossils using CT scans and created digital maps of the skeleton to aid in preparing the slab. They also employed special techniques; chemical treatments made soft tissues glow under UV light, helping the team avoid accidentally damaging feathers and skin textures while exposing bones. Such methods weren’t available to fossil preparers in the 1800s.

Unlike other specimens, the bones of the Chicago Archeopteryx are preserved in three dimensions, allowing Dr. O’Connor’s team to closely analyze the skull palate. This revealed the oldest signs of evolutionary trends toward the more flexible skulls of modern birds compared to their ancient counterparts, Dr. O’Connor explained.

In another stroke of fossilization luck, the wings of the specimen were detached from the body and “preserved in detail,” Dr. O’Connor noted. Upon closer examination, the team confirmed that instead of having the previously observed two layers of wing feathers, the Archaeopteryx actually boasts three. In modern birds, this third layer helps connect shorter forearms to the body, creating a continuous lifting surface critical for maintaining flight.

Dr. O’Connor noted that the structure of the wings stands in contrast to other feathered, non-avian dinosaurs, whose long wings remain rigid at the elbows, making them useful but ultimately ineffective for flight.

The absence of a sternum suggests these birds were likely less adept at flying. However, the toe pads found in the Chicago specimen provide additional evidence that these creatures were well-adapted for life on the ground, resembling a Jurassic-era chicken or road runner. They could achieve brief flights if necessary, but generally preferred to sprint.

The newly reported characteristics enhance the current understanding of Archeopteryx and directly support ongoing theories regarding the relationship between the species’ abilities and the origins of flight, according to Michael Pittman, a paleontologist from the University of Hong Kong who was not part of the study.

“This study truly underscores the importance of uncovering new fossils, even in well-known and thoroughly examined specimens,” he stated.

Dr. O’Connor concurred.

“This specimen will keep me engaged for years,” she remarked.

Source: www.nytimes.com