More than 160 years ago, Archaeopteryx shook up the scientific community by revealing its unique characteristics as a creature that is part reptile and part bird. This fossil highlighted the evolutionary connection between modern birds, such as pigeons and parakeets, and their dinosaur ancestors. Despite decades of research on this pivotal specimen, new discoveries continue to emerge, the latest being the Chicago Archaeopteryx, which may provide invaluable insights into this ancient creature’s life.
The Chicago Archaeopteryx, which debuted at the Field Museum in Chicago last year, has been under the radar since it was privately owned in 1990. Recognized as the smallest specimen yet discovered, this fossil was excavated from the same German limestone formation that has yielded all Archaeopteryx fossils to date. What makes this particular find remarkable is its exceptional preservation and the thorough preparation it underwent. The Field Museum’s fossil prep team, led by chief preparator Akiko Shinya, meticulously worked on the specimen for over a year, revealing bones and previously invisible soft tissues.
In a recent study published in Nature, lead author and associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum, Jingmai O’Connor, emphasized the significance of the soft tissues identified in this new fossil. Particularly noteworthy is the examination of the hands and feet, where the right hand is seen to have distinct soft tissue structures. This detailed observation suggests that the two main digits of the hand were independent and not fused, and it reinforces claims from the late 1990s that Archaeopteryx could utilize its hands for climbing, offering a richer understanding of its behavior and capabilities.
The Chicago Archaeopteryx has revealed additional fascinating details about the creature. Among the remarkable findings are scales on the underside of its toes, soft tissue in its fingers, and fine anatomical features within the skull. These anatomical details could provide clues about how the flexible beaks of modern birds evolved, adding layers to the narrative of avian evolution. The research also indicates that the Chicago Archaeopteryx may have been one of the first prehistoric creatures capable of flight, a major evolutionary milestone.
While earlier non-avian dinosaurs possessed feathers and wing-like structures, Archaeopteryx appears to have actually taken to the skies. Its possession of upper wing feathers, known as tertials, suggests a capability for flight that is absent in other feathered dinosaurs that did not evolve into birds. This discovery supports the idea that flight may have emerged independently multiple times during the dinosaur era, underscoring the complexity of avian evolution.
O’Connor conveyed excitement regarding future research, noting that current findings are just the beginning. Further analysis of the Chicago Archaeopteryx will likely uncover more details about its lifestyle, such as surprisingly bird-like features of its skull, chemical properties of the soft tissues, and complete body CT scans. Scientists anticipate that these revelations will enhance our comprehension of this ancient flying dinosaur and its significance within the larger tree of life.
image source from：https://gizmodo.com/the-famous-fearsome-archaeopteryx-was-more-bird-than-we-knew-2000601981
