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ARCHAEOPTERYX lithographica
Archaeopteryx is believed to be the earliest known bird. It
is actually considered to be the intermediate between the birds and
predatory dinosaurs, a possible link between reptiles and
birds.
It is debated by paleontologists whether this ancient bird
could actually flew or merely glided from tree to tree. It didn't
have the keeled breastbone (characteristic of today's birds) to
which fasten their flight muscles. It may well have ran, leaped,
glided, and flapped, but in any event it seems, that it was not a
strong flier.
Mammals, lizards, insects and fish were all welcome
nourishment for this hunter. Its size is comparable to an average
pigeon though its legs and bony tail are long and slender. Unlike
all living birds, it had a full set of teeth, a flat breastbone
(sternum), a long bony tail, belly ribs (gastralia) and three claws
on each wing (which could have been used to grasp prey or tree). But
feathers, wings, a wishbone (furcula) and reduced fingers are all
characteristics of modern birds. It had similarities to dinosaurs,
including its teeth, skull, lack of horny bill and certain bone
structures. The 'wrist' of the wings were terminated with long
reptilian claws. Rather than a beak it had a scaled snout complete
with pointed teeth. All these features point to its reptilian
origins.
All fossils of Archaeopteryx lithographica were found in
Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone of southern Germany; it is one of
the most important fossils ever discovered.
TIME - Late
Jurassic - 150 MYA
RANGE
- Europe (German)
SIZE - 14 inches
long (35 cm) |
