Fossil of Feathered Dinosaur Challenges the Theory of Evolution of Flight

A new fossil of a bird-like dinosaur has been discovered at north-eastern China by paleontologists at the University of Southampton. This new discovery challenges the theories of the evolution of flight in birds.

The new fossil that measured around 30 cm in length was named as 'Eosinopteryx'. This flightless dinosaur belonged to the older Middle-Late Jurassic period. The small wingspan and bone structure restricted its ability to flap its wings.

It was widely known that birds evolved from a group of dinosaurs known as theropods from the Early Cretaceuos period some 120-139 million years ago. This new discovery offers additional evidence, challenging the previously known theory.

"This discovery sheds further doubt on the theory that the famous fossil Archaeopteryx - or 'first bird' as it is sometimes referred to - was pivotal in the evolution of modern birds. Our findings suggest that the origin of flight was much more complex than previously thought," paper co-author Dr. Gareth Dyke, senior lecturer in Vertebrate Palaeontology at the University of Southampton, said in a press statement.

The researchers reveal that the dinosaurs had toes that allowed them to walk on the ground and few feathers on the tail and lower legs that made it easy for them to run.

"Our findings suggest that the origin of flight was much more complex than previously thought," Dr. Dyke continues to say.

The details of the new bird dinosaur are described in the journal Nature Communications.