Scientists Discover Largest 'Four-Winged' Dinosaur
- 10 years ago
Scientists have discovered a non-avian dinosaur that lived 125 million years ago. The dino is named the Changyuraptor yangi and it reportedly had a streamlined, aerodynamic body and exceptionally large wings.
Scientists have discovered the 125 million year old fossil of a non-avian dinosaur that shines new light on the origin of birds. The dino named Changyuraptor yangi reportedly had a streamlined, aerodynamic body and exceptionally large wings and tail feathers.
The perfectly detailed fossil excavated in northeastern China is providing insight into the mysterious creatures that evolved before birds. The newly discovered species looks like it has 4 wings because of the extended feathers on its hind legs.
The tail feathers were about a quarter of the dinosaur’s entire 4-foot long body, the “longest of any feathered dinosaur” according to project leader Luis Chiappe.
It’s unclear what relationship the new species had with birds, but the researchers believe the dinosaur was carnivorous.
Said Chiappe “The new fossil documents that dinosaur flight was not limited to very small animals, but to dinosaurs of more substantial size.. Most likely, some of the aerodynamic features we see in Changyuraptor -- like the large forewings -- are the result of the same evolutionary event.”
Scientists have discovered the 125 million year old fossil of a non-avian dinosaur that shines new light on the origin of birds. The dino named Changyuraptor yangi reportedly had a streamlined, aerodynamic body and exceptionally large wings and tail feathers.
The perfectly detailed fossil excavated in northeastern China is providing insight into the mysterious creatures that evolved before birds. The newly discovered species looks like it has 4 wings because of the extended feathers on its hind legs.
The tail feathers were about a quarter of the dinosaur’s entire 4-foot long body, the “longest of any feathered dinosaur” according to project leader Luis Chiappe.
It’s unclear what relationship the new species had with birds, but the researchers believe the dinosaur was carnivorous.
Said Chiappe “The new fossil documents that dinosaur flight was not limited to very small animals, but to dinosaurs of more substantial size.. Most likely, some of the aerodynamic features we see in Changyuraptor -- like the large forewings -- are the result of the same evolutionary event.”