|
|
|
Archaeopteryx
Click here for more Archaeopteryx Pictures
| Scientific Classification |
|
|
|
| |
Order |
Archaeopterygiformes |
|
|
|
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:
Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by Amazon.com. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website.
By Peter Wellnhofer
Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil
Released: September 1st, 2009
Hardcover (208 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $65.09*
In Stock.*
*(As of 01:06 Pacific 30 Mar 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
ARCHAEOPTERYX: The Icon of Evolution- Manufacturer: Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil
- 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: 3.2628414776 Pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Rob Shone
Brand: Powerkids Pr
Released: August 15th, 2011
Library Binding (32 pages)
 | List Price: $28.50*
Lowest New Price: $16.31*
In Stock.*
*(As of 01:06 Pacific 30 Mar 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Archaeopteryx: The First Bird (Graphic Dinosaurs)- Manufacturer: Powerkids Pr
- Brand: Brand: Powerkids Pr
- ISBN: 1448852048
- EAN: 9781448852048
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Rob Shone
- Publication Date: August 15th, 2011
- Release Date: August 15th, 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 |
|
Brand: Abbeville Kids
Released: September 2nd, 2008
Hardcover (64 pages)
 | List Price: $15.95*
Lowest Used Price: $3.46*
In Stock.*
*(As of 01:06 Pacific 30 Mar 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
A Jurassic Mystery: Archaeopteryx (Dinosaurs) (v. 2)- Manufacturer: Abbeville Kids
- Brand: Brand: Abbeville Kids
- ISBN: 0789209799
- EAN: 9780789209795
- PartNumber: 64 colour
Details:- Hardcover
- Number of Pages: 64
- Publication Date: September 2nd, 2008
- Release Date: September 2nd, 2008
Physical Description:- Size: 11.5 Inches by 8.0 Inches by 0.5 Inches
- Weight: 1.1 Pounds
Features:- Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information |
|
By Pat Shipman
Simon & Schuster
Released: January 15th, 1999
Paperback (336 pages)
 | List Price: $22.95*
Lowest New Price: $18.96*
In Stock.*
*(As of 01:06 Pacific 30 Mar 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Taking Wing: Archaeopteryx and the Evolution of Bird Flight- Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
- Brand: Simon & Schuster
- ISBN: 0684849658
- EAN: 9780684849652
- PartNumber: 9780684849652
Details:- Paperback
- Edition: 1st Touchstone Ed
- Number of Pages: 336
- Author: Pat Shipman
- Publication Date: January 15th, 1999
- Release Date: January 15th, 1999
Physical Description:- Size: 9.21 Inches by 5.96 Inches by 0.78 Inches
- Weight: 1.10231131 Pounds
Features:- Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information |
|
By Richard M. Gaines
Buddy Books
Released: September 1st, 2001
Library Binding (32 pages)
 | List Price: $28.50*
Lowest New Price: $27.03*
In Stock.*
*(As of 01:06 Pacific 30 Mar 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Archaeopteryx (Dinosaurs Set 1)- Manufacturer: Buddy Books
- ISBN: 1577654862
- EAN: 9781577654865
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Richard M. Gaines
- Publication Date: September 1st, 2001
- Release Date: September 1st, 2001
Physical Description:- Size: 9.0 Inches by 7.5 Inches by 0.25 Inches
- Weight: 0.54 Pounds
Click here for more information |
|
Discuss This Page
Please feel free to post your comments:
Linking to This Page
We do hope that you find this site useful.
We welcome people linking to this website or citing us.
|
|
|
