Archaeopteryx
Sign in to saveArchaeopteryx (; ), sometimes referred to by its German name, "''''''" () is a genus of bird-like dinosaurs. The genus name derives from the Ancient Greek (), meaning 'ancient', and (), meaning 'feather, wing'. Between the late 19th century and the early 21st century, Archaeopteryx was generally accepted by palaeontologists and popular reference books as the oldest known bird (member of the group Avialae). Older potential avialans have since been identified, including Anchiornis, Xiaotingia, Aurornis, and Baminornis.
AI overview
Archaeopteryx is a genus of bird-like dinosaurs whose name comes from Ancient Greek words meaning "ancient" and "feather/wing." Though it was long considered the oldest known bird by paleontologists, scientists have since identified several older bird-like creatures, making Archaeopteryx's status as the earliest bird less certain.
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Article
18 sectionsContents
- History of discovery
- Authenticity
- Description
- Plumage
- Colouration
- Classification
- Species
- Synonyms
- Phylogenetic position
- Palaeobiology
- Flight
- Growth
- Daily activity patterns
- Palaeoecology
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Archaeopteryx (; ), sometimes referred to by its German name, "''''''" () is a genus of bird-like dinosaurs. The genus name derives from the Ancient Greek (), meaning 'ancient', and (), meaning 'feather, wing'. Between the late 19th century and the early 21st century, Archaeopteryx was generally accepted by palaeontologists and popular reference books as the oldest known bird (member of the group Avialae). Older potential avialans have since been identified, including Anchiornis, Xiaotingia, Aurornis, and Baminornis.
Archaeopteryx lived in the Late Jurassic around 150 million years ago, in what is now southern Germany, during a time when Europe was an archipelago of islands in a shallow warm tropical sea, much closer to the equator than it is now. Similar in size to a Eurasian magpie, with the largest individuals possibly attaining the size of a raven, the largest species of Archaeopteryx could grow to about in length. Despite their small size, broad wings, and inferred ability to fly or glide, Archaeopteryx had more in common with other small Mesozoic dinosaurs than with modern birds. In particular, they shared the following features with the dromaeosaurids and troodontids: jaws with sharp teeth, three fingers with claws, a long bony tail, hyperextensible second toes ("killing claw"), feathers (which also suggest warm-bloodedness), and various features of the skeleton.