Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Antarctica that sheds new light on the origins of modern birds. A nearly complete 69 million-year-old fossil of Vegavis iaai, an ancient duck-like creature, has been found to be one of the oldest known modern bird species. The discovery, published in the journal Nature, suggests that modern birds originated before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs.
The new V. iaai fossil was discovered on Vega Island in Antarctica and is estimated to be 68 million to 69 million years old. It provides a key piece of evidence that Vegavis iaai is linked to modern birds, particularly waterfowl. The discovery has sparked excitement among scientists, who believe that it may finally resolve the debate about the origin of modern birds.
The fossil shows features similar to those found in modern birds, including a brain shape typical of modern birds and a unique bone structure in the upper beak. This suggests that Vegavis iaai was a bird with characteristics that are still seen in modern birds today. The discovery also provides insight into how birds evolved during the mass extinction event.
The scientists behind the study believe that the discovery will lead to further discoveries in the Cretaceous rocks of Antarctica. With the help of advanced 3D reconstruction techniques, they have been able to show that Vegavis iaai had a long, narrow beak enhanced with powerful jaw muscles, similar to those found in modern diving birds.
The finding is significant not only because it provides new evidence for the origin of modern birds but also because it sheds light on the impact of the mass extinction event on ecosystems. The discovery highlights the importance of continued research into the history of life on Earth and the mysteries that still remain to be uncovered.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/ancient-duck-like-creature-discovered-in-antarctica-may-be-the-oldest-modern-bird-ever-discovered