For a long time, the first birds were settled in the pool areas for the first time more than 45 million years ago. But after the find of new fossils, birds have been living there for much longer: they have even experienced the dinosaurs.
The find in Alaska of more than fifty fossils of birds has given scientists new insights into the spread of birds in the time of the dinosaurs. It concerns small fossils of bird bones, reports the University of Alaska.
It was already known that bird species have been around for more than 150 million years. But it was not yet clear whether that was also the case in the polar regions. The fossils found show that birds have already lived in polar regions than previously thought.
The tiny bird bones from Alaska appear to be 73 million years old. Until this discovery, the oldest found remains of birds were 47 million years old. Those were the remains of penguins in Antarctica.
The find in Alaska shows that birds lived in the polar regions at the same time as dinosaurs. The dinosaurs died out about 66 million years ago.
Discovery came from a master’s student
The discovery was made by Lauren Wilson, who is now a PhD student at the University of Alaska. She made the discovery during research for her master’s thesis.
“These new fossils fill an important gap in our knowledge about the evolution of birds,” says professor Patrick Druckenmiller of the University of Alaska to The Guardian . “Until this study, few birds are found in Alaska, with the exception of a few leg prints.”
The fossils were found by pieces of excavated soil in the laboratory. The coarser chunks were then laid and examined under a microscope. That is a labor -intensive method within Paleontology: the research often focuses on the find of larger bones.
Many of the fossils found are remains of embryos and boy. It concerns fossils of different bird species.
The fossils were found in the Prince Creek formation, in the north of Alaska. Fossils of dinosaurs and other animals from millions of years ago are regularly found in the different layers of stones at that location.
The birds probably only stayed in Alaska in the summer, where they breed, Wilson thinks. Because of the long days there was a lot of vegetation and food was plentiful. In the winter it was dark almost all day and the circumstances were too bleak.
It was long thought that the first birds settled in the polar regions for the first time about 45 million years ago. But after the discovery of new fossils, Birds Appear to have lived there much longer: They equally whitenessed the dinosaurs.
The Discovery in Alaska of More Than Fifty Bird Fossils Has Given Scientists New Insights Into The Distribution of Birds in the Time of the Dinosaurs. These are Small Fossils of Bird Bones, Reports The University of Alaska.
It was Already Known That Bird Species Have Existed For More Than 150 Million Years. But it was not Yet Clear Whether This was also the case in the Polar Regions. The Fossils Found Show That Birds Lived in Polar Regions Earlier Than Previously Thought.
The Tiny Bird Bones from Alaska Appear to Be 73 Million Years Old. Until This Discovery, The Oldest Bird Remains Found Were 47 Million Years Old. Those Were Remains of Penguins in Antarctica.
The Discovery in Alaska shows that Birds Lived in the Polar Regions at the Same Time As Dinosaurs. The Dinosaurs Became Extinct about 66 Million years ago.
Discovery was made by a master student
The Discovery was made by Lauren Wilson, who is now a PhD student at the University of Alaska. She Made the Discovery Duration Research for Master’s Thesis.
“These New Fossils Fill an Important Gap in our Knowledge of Bird Evolution,” Says Professor Patrick Druckmiller of the University of Alaska to the Guardian . “Until This Research, Few Bird Fossils had Been Found in Alaska, With The Exception of a Few Footprints.”
The Fossils Were Found by Sifting Through Pieces of Excavated Soil in The Laboratory. The Coarser Pieces were then placed under a microscope and examined. This is a Labor-Intensive Method Within Paleontology: The Research often Focuses on the Discovery of Larger Bones.
Many of the Fossils Found Are Remains of Embryos and Young. These are fossils or varous bird species.
The Fossils Were Found in the Prince Creek Formation, in Northern Alaska. Fossils of Dinosaurs and other Animals from Millions of Years ago are Regularly Found in the Various Rock Layers at That Location.
Wilson Thinks That The Birds Probable Only Stayed in Alaska in the Summer, Where they Bred. Because of the long days there was a lot of vegetation and there was plenty of food. In the winter it was Dark Almost All Day and the Conditions Were Too Harsh.