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Scientists Find Missing Link in Bird Evolution

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the quack-quack dept.

BlueCup writes "Dozens of fossils of an ancient loon-like creature that some say is the missing link in bird evolution have been discovered in northwest China. The remains of 40 of the nearly modern amphibious birds, so well-preserved that some even have their feathers, were found in Gansu province, researchers report in Friday's issue of the journal Science. Previously only a single leg of the creature, known as Gansus yumenensis, had been found."

3 of 236 comments (clear)

  1. How do they know this creature was amphibious?? by GreyPoopon · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Are there any real experts out there who can explain how they know this creature was amphibious? I looked at the image, and I see no indication that this creature spent most of its time in the water. It seems no different than a duck - adapted to the water, but certainly not spending most of its time there. How can you tell?

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    GreyPoopon
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    Why is it I can write insightful comments but can't come up with a clever signature?

    1. Re:How do they know this creature was amphibious?? by fuego451 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I was wondering about this myself. The article did say the fosils indicated a webed foot which would indicate, at least, a partially aquatic life. 'Amphibious' is a poor choice of words without more information. I think of ducks and other waterfowl as being 'aquatic' not amphibious as they spend much of their time on the water, not in the water. However, penguins, platypus', cormorants and a few others are exceptions I would consider amphibious as they are each great underwater swimmers.

  2. Re:Regardless... by Stephan+Schulz · · Score: 3, Interesting
    And what exactly does freedom of speech have to do with scientific progress?
    It very much enables it in the first place.
    Two of the most technologically advanced states in the last century (Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union), were very un-free places.
    You mix up science and engineering. And Nazi Germany's technology was based on the scientific lead Germany had achieved in the early late 19th and early 20th century (and they lagged in things like code breaking, operational research, ...).

    The Soviet Union had good competence in a few key areas that were funded well, but lagged in overall development.

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    Stephan