Fascinating life sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown, С. 1403 - 1594
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023
Язык: Английский
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 122(4)
Опубликована: Янв. 13, 2025
Tattoos were a prevalent art form in pre-Hispanic South America exemplified by mummified human remains with preserved skin decoration that reflects the personal and cultural representations of their times. are known to fade bleed over time this is compounded mummies decay body, inhibiting ability examine original art. Laser-stimulated fluorescence (LSF) produces images based on emitted from within target. Here, we present first results applying LSF tattoos pre-Columbian Chancay culture coastal Peru. We find fluoresced strongly underneath black tattoo ink yielding high-contrast image virtually eliminates bleed, revealing exceptionally fine details artwork. The level detail precision artwork was found be higher than associated pottery, textiles, rock suggesting special effort expended at least some tattoos. This suggests artistic complexity Peru previously known, expanding degree development time. expands scope analysis can yield providing new technique gain further insights into important form.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
3
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 380(1920)
Опубликована: Фев. 27, 2025
Modern birds (Neornithes) are the mostly highly modified group of amniotes, bearing little resemblance to other extant sauropsids. Archaeopteryx , with its nearly modern wings but plesiomorphic skeleton, demonstrated more than 160 years ago that soft tissue specializations preceded skeletal modifications for flight. Soft tissues thus great importance understanding early evolution avian physiology. Most commonly, traces integumentary system preserved; exceptional discoveries include remnants organs. Together, these have helped elucidate lungs, ovaries, plumage and beak in diverging birds. These fossils reveal many important adaptations efficient digestion, high oxygen intake, reduced body mass improved wing structure, all which serve improve aerial capabilities and/or meet energetic demands this costly form locomotion, evolved within first 20–30 Myr evolution. preservation also provides clues ecology may even extinction certain groups. However, current fossil record Mesozoic is almost entirely limited Early Cretaceous thus, from Late potential drastically transform our interpretation available data. This article part theme issue ‘The biology respiratory system’.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
1
Geobios, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown
Опубликована: Март 1, 2025
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
1
Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(1)
Опубликована: Март 22, 2023
Abstract It is accepted that non-avian theropod dinosaurs, with their long muscular tails and small forelimbs, had a centre-of-mass close to the hip, while extant birds, reduced enlarged wings have mass centred more cranially. Transition between these states considered crucial two key innovations in avian locomotor system: crouched bipedalism powered flight. Here we use image-based models challenge this dichotomy. Rather than phylogenetic distinction ‘dinosaurian’ ‘avian’ conditions, find terrestrial versus volant taxa occupy distinct regions of morphospace consistent disparate demands We track decoupled evolution body shape distribution through bird evolution, including origin positions advantageous for flight major reversions coincident terrestriality. recover modularity limb proportions suggests fully evolved after
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
17
BMC Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 25(1)
Опубликована: Апрель 24, 2025
Abstract Background Microraptor is known as the most significant example of extended feathering on legs a paravian, both fossil and modern. Its striking difference with paravians contributes to multiple theories function its conspicuous hind limbs. Recent studies tried uncover evolutionary significance, but anatomy has only been described from small number samples. Results Through analysis 16 specimens , including 8 previously undescribed specimens, here we provide new information structure hindwing feathers within revised feather taxonomy, shape which displays all along limb, except pedal digits. Here describe in detail 6 types: metatarsal remiges, long coverts, femoral well first description tibial feathers, anterior coverts minor coverts. Our study BMNHC PH881 STM 5–5, 5–75, 6–62 6–86 partially consistent previous work, key this proximal shift triangular wing portion formed by that outlines joint between tibiotarsus metatarsus. This configuration does not exist any extant or bird, other non-avian paravian so far, underscoring uniqueness . Unlike reconstructions, display an asymmetrical close-vanned remiges. The preserved are posteriorly projected metatarsus vary medioposterior lateroposterior projection feathers. Conclusions overall layers found two elongated asymmetrically vaned linked more reminiscent forewing modern birds than leg fossils taxa. These observations allow us better understand flight, non-flight locomotion hunting strategies iconic ‘four-winged’ dinosaur suggesting had complex behaviour made it adapted arboreal terrestrial habitats.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0
Atomic Spectroscopy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 45(02), С. 123 - 131
Опубликована: Май 14, 2024
Paraves is the taxonomic group that includes Dromaeosauridae, Troodontidae and Avialae, thus records origin of birds, evolution pennaceous feathers, their exaptation for flight.Non-destructive micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) imaging technology was utilized to analyze two paravian fossil specimens, one referrable Microraptorinae (Dromaeosauridae) other Yanornithidae (Avialae).Both fossils are from Lower Cretaceous Aptian Jiufotang Formation, a Lagerstätte youngest stage famous Jehol Biota in western Liaoning, China.The analyses show bones preserve high amounts Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S), with significant heavy elements such as Strontium (Sr) Yttrium (Y) which may be related biological apatite.The preserved feathers Cuprum (Cu), Nickel (Ni) Titanium (Ti).The claw sheaths exhibit levels P Ca, suggests they were through phosphatization.Notably, large Ferrum (Fe) occur at intraskeletal joints both specimens trunk microraptorine.Further indicate enrichment Fe presence pyrite.The distribution indicates precipitation this element postburial taphonomic process.This micro-XRF data reveals different tissue types these provides information reconstructing processes responsible exceptional preservation Formation.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
1
Molecular & cellular biomechanics, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 20(2), С. 49 - 61
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023
As one of the most basal avian clades, Confuciusornithids are ideal in revealing early evolution flight. Birds’ hindlimbs functionally diverse and contain a wealth information about their behavior. The hindlimb Confuciusornis, however, has only been studied detail terms functional morphology, quantitative studies that directly assess locomotor ability relatively lacking. This led to certain controversies on behavior Confuciusornis. paper reviews debates over life habits take-off which closely related function. Several methodologies adopted engineering techniques, including geometrical analysis long bones, physiological reconstruction muscles, kinematic kinetic characteristics estimating, appendage mechanism analysis, recommended for estimating functions Considering fossil bones fragile, irregular shape, usually deformed, it is appropriate apply computer numerical simulation techniques such studies. A sufficient study will help clarify bird behavior, provide clues evidence further exploration origin flight movement.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0
BMC Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 23(1)
Опубликована: Окт. 6, 2023
Abstract Recent developments, including new imaging and ancient environmental DNA (aeDNA) technologies, are providing unprecedented insights into the past, which can also help researchers predict future ecological change. BMC Ecology Evolution has launched a article Collection on “Paleoecology of extinct species” to provide an open-access resource for all interested in this multidisciplinary field.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0
Spanish Journal of Palaeontology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 38(2), С. 101 - 122
Опубликована: Ноя. 2, 2023
The Chinese early Cretaceous Confuciusornis sanctus is the most abundant Mesozoic bird and a model species for studies of avian evolution. While previous investigations were largely focused on aspects anatomy, taxonomy systematics, life history ecology this bird, there has been minimal research its flight properties. Our study centers well-preserved specimen with exquisite details plumage. NHMW 1997z0112/0001 affords novel information skeletal morphology, particularly from axial appendicular skeletons, plumage provides opportunity to quantify key flight-related variables including, wingtip, wing chord, body mass, wingspan, area. We use these parameters provide quantitative assessment properties C. sanctus. Most have suggested that was unable achieve prolonged flights. However, our results indicate capacity perform flights cannot be discarded, given data shows it might able combine periods flapping efficient low-speed gliding. Specifically, while having slightly less than modern gliding birds, would significantly higher short-term fliers such as land fowl. On basis inferences, we conclude could fly efficiently time when used combination periods.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0
Fascinating life sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown, С. 1403 - 1594
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0