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Archaeopteryx
Click here for more Archaeopteryx Pictures
| Scientific Classification |
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Order |
Archaeopterygiformes |
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Archaeopteryx is the earliest and most primitive bird currently definitely known
(Protoavis
has been claimed as an earlier bird, however many scientists dispute
this).
The name "Archaeopteryx"
(which, as is often the case, is derived from Ancient Greek)
means "ancient wing", although it is sometimes also known
by the German
name of "Urvogel" which means "first bird".
Archaeopteryx lived in the
Jurassic period between
approximately 150 million and 145 million years ago.
fossils of the animal have been found in
what is today southern
Germany, but was
at the time an archipelago of islands in a warm tropical sea.
Many scientists believe that
Archaeopteryx is a transitional
fossil between birds
and dinosaurs, and its discovery has contributed greatly to the
debate about evolution. The first complete specimen of
Archaeopteryx was discovered in 1861, just two years after
Charles Darwin
published
"On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection",
and seemed to be a spectacular confirmation of his ideas.
In particular, the idea that birds were descended
from
Theropod dinosaurs, was proposed by T. H. Huxley in 1868.
Archaeopteryx seems to have grown to a maximum of about 1 foot 8 inches (50 centimeters)
in length, about the size of a medium-sized modern bird. It seems to have
definitely had feathers (see below) as well as some other avian features
(including a wishbone and a partially reversed first toe),
a larger brain than most dinosaurs (again more like birds), but
Archaeopteryx
also retained several features similar to
Theropod dinosaurs.
Dinosaur-like features included its
small teeth and a long bony tail.
To date, less than a dozen specimens of Archaeopteryx have been found, and many of these
fossils appear to include evidence
of feathers. Noteably, Archaeopteryx has flight feathers, so it is thought likely that these
may have evolved from simpler feathers in its
as yet undiscovered ancestors. Over the years, there have been a number of controversies
and debates relating to Archaeopteryx, including whether it should be classified as a bird
at all, and how it relates to modern birds (currently, many scientists believe that
Archaeopteryx is a close relative of the ancestor of modern birds, rather than the direct
ancestor).
One of the key points of scientific interest in Archaeopteryx is
what it can teach us about the evolution of flying in birds. One theory is
that flight evolved from fast-running after insects and other small
prey such as small lizards (an idea first proposed by
Samuel Wendell Williston). The main alternative theory is that flight began
by jumping or gliding down from trees (this theory was first proposed by
Othniel C. Marsh).
Although it seems pretty clear that Archaeopteryx could fly, it is not
entirely clear which of these two theories it provides evidence for -
Archaeopteryx does not seem particularly well-suited for either running
or for perching in trees. We do know however that there were few
in the local environment
at the Archaeopteryx was alive, although it is of course possible that
Archaeopteryx simply used shrubs, cliffs, and whatever trees were available.
Archaeopteryx was an early bird with many dinosaur-like features that lived between 150 and 145 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Archaeopteryx Books
Here are some books from Amazon.com:
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By Peter Wellnhofer
Pfeil, Dr. Friedrich
Released: September 1st, 2009
Hardcover (208 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $93.11*
In Stock*
*(As of 20:13 Pacific 6 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
ARCHAEOPTERYX: The Icon of Evolution- Manufacturer: Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil
- Brand: Pfeil, Dr. Friedrich
- ISBN: 3899371089
- EAN: 9783899371086
- PartNumber: 9017912
Details:- Hardcover
- Number of Pages: 208
- Author: Peter Wellnhofer
- Publication Date: September 1st, 2009
- Release Date: September 1st, 2009
Physical Description:- Size: 12.83462 inches by 9.80313 inches by 0.7874 inches
- Weight: 3.1085178942 Pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Rebecca Sabelko
Bellwether Media
Released: August 1st, 2021
Library Binding (24 pages)
 | List Price: $26.95*
Lowest New Price: $20.48*
In Stock*
*(As of 20:13 Pacific 6 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Archaeopteryx (The World of Dinosaurs)- Manufacturer: Bellwether Media
- ISBN: 164487542X
- EAN: 9781644875421
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Number of Pages: 24
- Author: Rebecca Sabelko
- Publication Date: August 1st, 2021
- Release Date: August 1st, 2021
Physical Description:- Size: 9.0 Inches by 7.75 Inches by 0.5 Inches
- Weight: 0.52 pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Rob Shone
PowerKids Press
Released: August 30th, 2011
Library Binding (32 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $30.27*
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your account will only be charged when we ship the item.*
*(As of 20:13 Pacific 6 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Archaeopteryx: The First Bird (Graphic Dinosaurs)- Manufacturer: Powerkids Pr
- Brand: PowerKids Press
- ISBN: 1448852048
- EAN: 9781448852048
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Rob Shone
- Publication Date: August 30th, 2011
- Release Date: August 30th, 2011
Physical Description:- Size: 11.5 Inches by 9.5 Inches by 0.25 Inches
- Weight: 0.85 pounds
Features:- Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information |
|
By Bryan Dietrich
CREATESPACE
Released: March 30th, 2012
Paperback (290 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $11.00*
In Stock*
*(As of 20:13 Pacific 6 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Archaeopteryx: The Newman Journal of Ideas- Manufacturer: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Brand: CREATESPACE
- ISBN: 1475122829
- EAN: 9781475122824
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 290
- Author: Bryan Dietrich
- Publication Date: March 30th, 2012
- Release Date: March 30th, 2012
Physical Description:- Size: 8.5 Inches by 5.51 Inches by 0.66 Inches
- Weight: 0.82 pounds
Features:- Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information |
|
By Rioletta Sabo
Abbeville Press
Released: July 1st, 1998
Hardcover (215 pages)
 | List Price: $55.00*
Lowest Used Price: $51.24*
In Stock*
*(As of 20:13 Pacific 6 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Portuguese Decorative Tiles: Azulejos- Manufacturer: Abbeville Press
- Brand: Abbeville Press
- ISBN: 0789204819
- EAN: 9780789204813
Details:- Hardcover
- Edition: First Edition
- Number of Pages: 215
- Authors: Rioletta Sabo, Jorge Nuno Falcato
- Publication Date: July 1st, 1998
- Release Date: July 1st, 1998
Physical Description:- Size: 12.06 Inches by 9.33 Inches by 1.07 Inches
- Weight: 3.51 pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Rupert Oliver
Rourke Pub Group
Library Binding (23 pages)
 | List Price: $15.93*
Lowest Used Price: $5.35*
In Stock*
*(As of 20:13 Pacific 6 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Archaeopteryx (Dinosaur Lib Series)- Manufacturer: Rourke Pub Group
- ISBN: 0865922098
- EAN: 9780865922099
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Edition: First THUS Edition
- Number of Pages: 23
- Authors: Rupert Oliver, Bernard Long (Illustrator)
Physical Description:- Size: 7.75 Inches by 10.5 Inches by 0.25 Inches
- Weight: 0.65 pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Tracey Kelly
Capstone Global Library Ltd
Paperback (0 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $14.36*
Usually ships within 5 to 7 days*
*(As of 20:13 Pacific 6 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Archaeopteryx and Other Flying Reptiles- Manufacturer: Capstone Global Library Ltd
- ISBN: 1474778399
- EAN: 9781474778398
- PartNumber: 9781474778398
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 0
- Author: Tracey Kelly
Physical Description:- Size: 8.97636 Inches by 7.04723 Inches by 0.15748 Inches
- Weight: 2.314853751 pounds
Click here for more information |
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