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New Four-Winged Dinosaur Unearthed!
4 Jun
Summary
- A 120-million-year-old fossil of a new microraptor species was found in China.
- This feathered dinosaur glided between trees, resembling a barn owl in size.
- The fossil offers clues about the evolution of flight in feathered predators.
A newly identified species of microraptor, a feathered dinosaur dating back 120 million years, has been discovered from a fossil found in northwestern China. This ancient predator, approximately the size of a barn owl, is believed to have glided between trees, hunting birds. The discovery expands the known geographic range and timeline for this unique dinosaur group.
The well-preserved fossil, named Jian changmaensis, provides critical new information about the Changma Basin's biological history. Researchers suggest that the microraptor's distinctive shoulder structure and long forelimbs offer significant clues about the origins of flight in birds. This finding blurs the lines between dinosaurs and early birds, highlighting their close evolutionary relationship.
