Dinosaur-bird link gains credence

Dinosaur-bird link gains credence

Proponents of the theory that our feathered friends descended from dinosaurs can now afford to pat themselves on the back and look smug. The latest fossil evidence from a well-preserved Archeopteryx specimen has lent further credence to their belief.

According to a study of the fossil conducted by German and US scientists, the feet of Archaeopteryx have been found to be anatomically similar to those of theropods. The findings of the study have been published in the latest issue of the journal Science. The researchers observed that the creature had theropod dinosaur-like feet for walking on the ground and not birdlike feet for perching.

The first toe of the fossilized skeleton pointed inward, unlike modern birds in which it is reversed enabling them to perch. The fossil also suggests that Archeopteryx could hyperextend their second toe akin to predatory dinosaurs like Velociraptors, said the researchers.

Archeopteryx, meaning "ancient wing", lived 150 million years ago and have exhibted features of both birds and dinosaurs like wings with feathers and a wishbone which are seen in modern-day birds as well as reptilian attributes like claws on fingertips, jaws with teeth, and a bony tail. However, the creature's flying abilities were quite limited and it believed to have flown no more than a few feet at a time.

So far Archeopteryx has been widely believed to be the forerunner of birds, and in light of these findings, a clear link between Archaeopteryx and dinosaurs has been established, said the scientists.