Debating the Connection Between Birds and Dinosaurs :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Debating the Connection Between Birds and Dinosaurs We live in a world, where every question must have an answer. If that question doesn’t have an answer, somebody is determined to find out what the answer is. One of those very questions is simply, did birds evolve from dinosaurs? Many scientists have theories. There is no definite answer. I will, however, give you information on some theories scientists have, as well as information on a new discovery that may very well be indeed what scientists around the world have been looking for. I will leave it up to you, to decide who you think is right. The idea that birds and reptiles are closely related is not a new one. Since Darwin, similarities between modern birds and reptiles started speculation that these groups had something in common. Then, in 1861, the first specimen of the famous Archaeopteryx ("ancient wing") was found in Bavaria. It seemed to be a mixture of bird-like and reptile-like characteristics. â€Å"For many, this creature was - and is - a powerful confirmation of large-scale evolutionary change (â€Å"Are birds feathered dinosaurs?†).† Since then more and more new discoveries have been found influencing the dino-bird theory. The most recent discovery was in Northern China, of a feathered covered dinosaur that may very well be the answer to this very important question. This discovery not only presents questions about the origins of birds but also about the life of dinosaurs. It reinforces the case for the theory that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, while hinting that many other dinosaurs may have had feathers to keep them warm. The fossil skeleton is estimated to be somewhere between 126–147 million years old (Henahan 2001). However, according to the original scientific article the age is debatable. â€Å"Certain elements suggest a Late Jurassic age; radiometric work from several sites near Sihetun has suggested conflicting dates of 124.6 million years ago or 147 million years ago. The age of these beds is a complex problem and it is likely that several ages are represented at different quarry sites (Ji et al 2001).† According to the article the fossil was discovered by a team of American and Chinese scientists in the Yixian Formation in the Liaoning Province, China. This is the first dinosaur to be discovered with its body covering unbroken. The fossil has been identified as a type of dromaeosaur. The discovery may cause trouble in the paleontology community, where a debate continues on the link between dinosaurs and birds.