New feathered dinosaur fossil found in China shows flight evolved more than once

Researchers have discovered a remarkably preserved fossil of a new feathered dinosaur species in China that strengthens the theory that flight evolved multiple times among dinosaurs and birds. Named Norellraptor barsboldi, the creature measures 57 centimetres long and belonged to a microraptorine that weighed about one kilogram. A local farmer found the specimen in Liaoning province, and an international team of scientists described it in Nature Communications on 29 September.

Details and Reactions

The specimen lived between 145 million and 100 million years ago and was roughly three years old at the time of its death. It displayed traces of feathers on both front and back limbs as well as the tail tip. By comparing flight traits, researchers found that 30 percent of 194 flight-related adaptations seen in microraptorines also appeared in the bird lineage, though the two groups developed these traits in a different order. Palaeobiologist Michael Pittman from the Chinese University of Hong Kong notes the study strongly supports multiple origins for flight. Evolutionary biologist Neil Gostling from the University of Southampton points out that these animals experimented widely with different evolutionary paths.

Context

Palaeontologists study fossils to understand how prehistoric animals lived and how modern birds are connected to ancient dinosaurs. Discoveries in regions like China's Liaoning province provide exceptionally clear details because fine-grained sediments preserve soft tissues like feathers. These findings help scientists piece together the complex history of how flight developed in the animal kingdom.