Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Antarctica, shedding new light on the origins of modern birds. A 69-million-year-old fossil of the duck-like bird Vegavis iaai has confirmed that modern birds were already thriving before the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.
The fossil, which is nearly complete and dates back between 68.4 and 69.2 million years, provides a critical gap in the evolutionary timeline of avian species. Researchers have digitally reconstructed the bird’s brain and skull structure, revealing striking similarities to modern ducks and geese.
Unlike its prehistoric relatives, Vegavis had a toothless beak, an advanced brain shape, and specialized muscles for underwater hunting, similar to today’s loons and grebes. The discovery also paints a radically different picture of Cretaceous Antarctica, where the continent was covered in forests and had a temperate climate, supporting a diverse marine ecosystem.
The find raises questions about how other modern bird groups emerged and could have similarities with Vegavis’ prehistoric origins. As scientists continue to explore Cretaceous fossils in Antarctica, they may uncover more secrets about how modern birds took over the world left in ruins after the dinosaurs’ demise.
The fossil’s discovery has significant implications for our understanding of avian evolution, suggesting that some bird species survived the mass extinction and persisted beyond the asteroid impact. The discovery also highlights the resilience of ancient creatures like Vegavis iaai, which has allowed its descendants to thrive today.
Source: https://indiandefencereview.com/antarctic-fossil-unveil-oldest-modern-bird