A significant revelation has been made regarding the origin adn evolution of birds. in November 2023, a joint team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Fujian Institute of Geological Survey discovered fossils in daxi village of Fujian’s zhenghe county that belong too a bird from the late Middle Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years old. This discovery has pushed back the origin of birds to the late Middle Jurassic period and rewrites the history of avian evolution [2[2[2[2].
The newly identified species has been named Baminornis zhenghensis.Its fossils display a unique combination of features, including birdlike shoulder and pelvic girdles and also a hand structure resembling that of nonavian dinosaurs [3[3[3[3].
Prof. Wang noted that Baminornis zhenghensis is the sole Jurassic and the oldest short-tailed bird yet discovered, pushing back the appearance of this derived bird feature by nearly 20 million years [2[2[2[2].Lead author Min Wang described Baminornis zhenghensis as looking more like modern birds than Archaeopteryx, highlighting its significance in understanding bird evolution [3[3[3[3].
Academician Xu Xing emphasized that birds evolved from dinosaurs, one of the most astounding chapters in evolutionary history. This process involved significant changes in bones, muscles, and other biological structures, representing a leap from land to sky [1[1[1[1].
the Zhenghe Fauna, where the fossils were found, offers a rare glimpse into the ecosystems of the late Mesozoic era and is a treasure trove for understanding the origins of the variety of life we see today [1[1[1[1].
Critically important Revelation Pushes Back origin of Birds to Late Middle Jurassic Period
Table of Contents
In November 2023, a joint team from the Institute of Vertebrate paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Fujian Institute of Geological Survey made a groundbreaking revelation in Daxi Village, Fujian’s Zhenghe County. They uncovered fossils of a bird from the late Middle Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years old. This discovery rewrites the history of avian evolution and pushes back the origin of birds to this ancient period.
Interview wiht dr. Min Wang, Specialist in Avian Paleontology
World-Today-News.com (WTN): Dr.Min Wang, thank you for joining us today. Can you tell our readers about the meaning of this recent fossil discovery?
Dr.Min Wang:
The discovery of Baminornis zhenghensis is incredibly significant as it pushes the origin of birds back to the late Middle Jurassic period. This bird, with it’s unique combination of birdlike shoulder and pelvic girdles and dinosaur-like hand structure, provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of birds.
WTN: What makes Baminornis zhenghensis stand out among other bird fossils?
Dr. Min Wang:
Baminornis zhenghensis is the sole Jurassic and the oldest short-tailed bird yet discovered. Its features, which include birdlike shoulder and pelvic girdles, push back the appearance of this derived bird feature by nearly 20 million years. It looks more like modern birds than Archaeopteryx,highlighting its significance in understanding bird evolution.
WTN: How does this discovery fit into the broader context of bird evolution?
Dr. Min Wang:
birds evolved from dinosaurs, one of the most astounding chapters in evolutionary history.This process involved significant changes in bones, muscles, and other biological structures, representing a leap from land to sky. The fossils of Baminornis zhenghensis provide a rare glimpse into this transformative period.
WTN: Can you elaborate on the significance of the Zhenghe Fauna, where the fossils were found?
dr. min Wang:
The zhenghe Fauna offers a rare glimpse into the ecosystems of the late Mesozoic era. it is indeed a treasure trove for understanding the origins of the variety of life we see today. The discovery of Baminornis zhenghensis within this context enhances our understanding of how birds evolved and adapted over time.
Conclusion
The discovery of Baminornis zhenghensis in Daxi Village, Fujian’s Zhenghe County, has pushed back the origin of birds to the late Middle Jurassic period. This fossil, with its unique combination of features, rewrites the history of avian evolution and provides valuable insights into the transformative period when birds evolved from dinosaurs. The Zhenghe fauna, where the fossils were found, offers a rare glimpse into the ecosystems of the late Mesozoic era and is a treasure trove for understanding the origins of the variety of life we see today.