Four-winged birds may have been first fliers
19:00 19 May 04
The first birds were probably four-winged gliders, and only
later evolved into the sophisticated flapping fliers with
light skeletons and two wings that we see today. This view
of avian evolution is supported by a new study of
Archaeopteryx, the most famous bird fossil, which reveals
it had long feathers on its back and legs, as well as on
its wings.
The first Archaeopteryx was discovered 140 years ago, and is
now kept in Germany's Humboldt Museum in Berlin. Over the
years there have been anecdotal reports that faint feathers
can be seen on its hind legs.
These have now been confirmed by an analysis of the specimen
by zoologist Per Christiansen of the University of
Copenhagen, Denmark, and palaeontologist Niels Bonde of
Copenhagen's Geological Institute.
They report that Archaeopteryx had contour feathers
clustered along its back, around the legs and possibly on
the base of its neck (Comptes Rendus Palevol, vol 3, p 99).
The feathers are surprisingly modern-looking and similar to
plumage seen on birds today, say the researchers.
Read the rest at NewScientist
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Comment: If all four limbs were dedicated to flying, what
did they walk on? One is reminded of small mammal gliders
that have a flap of skin between the front and rear legs,
but four wings?
Posted by Robert Karl Stonjek.