Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering the oldest known modern bird species buried in the Antarctic ice. The ancient creature, named Vegavis iaai, lived during the late Cretaceous period and is believed to be an ancestor of modern loons and grebes.
The fossil was first discovered on an island in Antarctica in 1993 but lacked its head, making it difficult to determine which bird family it belonged to. However, a new study has created 3D models of the skull, firmly placing V. iaai in the waterfowl family. The analysis suggests that the ancient bird had impressive jaw muscles and could propel itself underwater to catch prey.
The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the origin story of modern birds. For decades, scientists believed that birds evolved from dinosaurs after a mass extinction event caused by an asteroid impact. However, the discovery of V. iaai in Antarctica suggests that this narrative may be oversimplified.
The Antarctic continent was once home to temperate rainforests and seems to have played a crucial role in the evolution of modern birds. The presence of both Vegavis fossils in Antarctica highlights the continent’s potential as a safe haven for early modern bird species, which were severely impacted by extinction events elsewhere.
This groundbreaking discovery sheds new light on the complex origin story of modern birds and underscores the importance of continued exploration and research into the ancient past.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-just-found-oldest-modern-130000995.html