A new fossil discovery in Antarctica has revealed the missing link between prehistoric and modern birds. The Vegavis iaai specimen, dating back 69 million years, boasts a unique skull with features both familiar and foreign to modern waterfowl.
The find resolves ongoing debates among paleontologists about the species’ position in the bird tree of life. Researchers suspect that Vegavis may have survived the mass extinction event due to its Antarctic location, which provided a temperate climate with lush vegetation.
X-ray micro-computed tomography scans and digital reconstruction revealed details of the skull’s braincase, palate, and beak. The specimen exhibits features consistent with modern waterfowl, including a slender pointed beak and powerful jaw muscles for catching fish. However, its salt gland and feet positioning suggest an aquatic lifestyle more akin to that of diving birds.
This discovery provides a crucial bridge between prehistoric and modern birds, filling the gap in the fossil record. The research published in Nature sheds new light on the evolution of bird species and highlights the unique conditions present in Antarctica during the Late Cretaceous period.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/remarkable-fossil-discovery-hints-at-antarctic-origins-of-all-modern-birds