The origin and diversification of birds
Birds are one of the most recognizable and diverse groups of modern vertebrates. Over the
past two decades, a wealth of new fossil discoveries and phylogenetic and …
past two decades, a wealth of new fossil discoveries and phylogenetic and …
An integrative approach to understanding bird origins
Background The origin of birds is one of the most enduring and dramatic evolutionary
debates. The hypothesis that the primarily small-sized birds are nested within a theropod …
debates. The hypothesis that the primarily small-sized birds are nested within a theropod …
Gradual assembly of avian body plan culminated in rapid rates of evolution across the dinosaur-bird transition
The evolution of birds from theropod dinosaurs was one of the great evolutionary transitions
in the history of life [1–22]. The macroevolutionary tempo and mode of this transition is …
in the history of life [1–22]. The macroevolutionary tempo and mode of this transition is …
[HTML][HTML] Potential for powered flight neared by most close avialan relatives, but few crossed its thresholds
Uncertainties in the phylogeny of birds (Avialae) and their closest relatives have impeded
deeper understanding of early theropod flight. To help address this, we produced an …
deeper understanding of early theropod flight. To help address this, we produced an …
New specimen of Archaeopteryx provides insights into the evolution of pennaceous feathers
C Foth, H Tischlinger, OWM Rauhut - Nature, 2014 - nature.com
Discoveries of bird-like theropod dinosaurs and basal avialans in recent decades have
helped to put the iconic 'Urvogel'Archaeopteryx into context,,,, and have yielded important …
helped to put the iconic 'Urvogel'Archaeopteryx into context,,,, and have yielded important …
Tempo and pattern of avian brain size evolution
Relative brain sizes in birds can rival those of primates, but large-scale patterns and drivers
of avian brain evolution remain elusive. Here, we explore the evolution of the fundamental …
of avian brain evolution remain elusive. Here, we explore the evolution of the fundamental …
Synchrotron scanning reveals amphibious ecomorphology in a new clade of bird-like dinosaurs
Maniraptora includes birds and their closest relatives among theropod dinosaurs,,,,. During
the Cretaceous period, several maniraptoran lineages diverged from the ancestral …
the Cretaceous period, several maniraptoran lineages diverged from the ancestral …
[HTML][HTML] Island life in the Cretaceous-faunal composition, biogeography, evolution, and extinction of land-living vertebrates on the Late Cretaceous European …
Abstract The Late Cretaceous was a time of tremendous global change, as the final stages
of the Age of Dinosaurs were shaped by climate and sea level fluctuations and witness to …
of the Age of Dinosaurs were shaped by climate and sea level fluctuations and witness to …
[HTML][HTML] The distribution of dental features in non-avian theropod dinosaurs: Taxonomic potential, degree of homoplasy, and major evolutionary trends
Isolated theropod teeth are some of the most common fossils in the dinosaur fossil record
and are continually reported in the literature. Recently developed quantitative methods have …
and are continually reported in the literature. Recently developed quantitative methods have …
Evolutionary origins of the avian brain
Features that were once considered exclusive to modern birds, such as feathers and a
furcula, are now known to have first appeared in non-avian dinosaurs. However, relatively …
furcula, are now known to have first appeared in non-avian dinosaurs. However, relatively …