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New flying reptile fossils found | New flying reptile fossils found |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Researchers in China and the UK say they have discovered the fossils of a new type of flying reptile that lived more than 160 million years ago. | Researchers in China and the UK say they have discovered the fossils of a new type of flying reptile that lived more than 160 million years ago. |
The find is named Darwinopterus, after Charles Darwin. | |
Experts say it provides the first clear evidence of a controversial idea called modular evolution. | |
The 20 new fossils found in north-east China show similarities to both primitive and more advanced pterosaurs, or flying reptiles. | The 20 new fossils found in north-east China show similarities to both primitive and more advanced pterosaurs, or flying reptiles. |
The research is published in the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B. | The research is published in the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B. |
Missing link | Missing link |
Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that flourished between 65 and 220 million years ago. | |
Darwinopterus could offer evidence of modular evolution | Darwinopterus could offer evidence of modular evolution |
Until now, scientists had known about two distinct groups of these creatures - primitive, long-tailed pterosaurs and more advanced short-tailed ones, separated by a gap in the fossil record. | Until now, scientists had known about two distinct groups of these creatures - primitive, long-tailed pterosaurs and more advanced short-tailed ones, separated by a gap in the fossil record. |
But the discovery of more than 20 new fossil skeletons in north-east China sits in the gap in this evolutionary chain. | But the discovery of more than 20 new fossil skeletons in north-east China sits in the gap in this evolutionary chain. |
Darwinopterus is a hawk-like reptile with a head and neck just like advanced pterosaurs - but the rest of the skeleton is similar to more primitive forms. | Darwinopterus is a hawk-like reptile with a head and neck just like advanced pterosaurs - but the rest of the skeleton is similar to more primitive forms. |
Researchers say that this could be evidence of what they call modular evolution - where natural selection forces a whole series of traits to change rapidly rather than just one. | Researchers say that this could be evidence of what they call modular evolution - where natural selection forces a whole series of traits to change rapidly rather than just one. |
"Darwinopterus came as quite a shock to us" said Dr David Unwin, from the University of Leicester, UK. | "Darwinopterus came as quite a shock to us" said Dr David Unwin, from the University of Leicester, UK. |
"We had always expected a gap-filler with typically intermediate features such as a moderately elongate tail - neither long nor short. | "We had always expected a gap-filler with typically intermediate features such as a moderately elongate tail - neither long nor short. |
"But the strange thing about Darwinopterus is that it has a head and neck just like that of advanced pterosaurs, while the rest of the skeleton, including a very long tail, is identical to that of primitive forms." | "But the strange thing about Darwinopterus is that it has a head and neck just like that of advanced pterosaurs, while the rest of the skeleton, including a very long tail, is identical to that of primitive forms." |
With its long jaws and rows of sharp-pointed teeth, these creatures were very well suited to catching and killing other flying species. | With its long jaws and rows of sharp-pointed teeth, these creatures were very well suited to catching and killing other flying species. |
The fossils were found in rocks that are 160 million years old, making them 10 million years older than the first bird, Archaeopteryx. | The fossils were found in rocks that are 160 million years old, making them 10 million years older than the first bird, Archaeopteryx. |
Dr Unwin collaborated on the study with researchers from the Geological Institute in Beijing, China. | Dr Unwin collaborated on the study with researchers from the Geological Institute in Beijing, China. |